KANTERS MAKES HIS MARK

North King Country’s Hayden Kanters plasters ceilings during the week, but at the weekends it’s his motocross rivals that he likes to plaster, with big sprays of dirt.

The Otorohanga 18-year-old was more than happy to shower his opposition with soil at the fifth annual Battle of the Clubs motocross in Taupo on Saturday and the national MX2 No.8 defied his national ranking when he became fastest qualifier in the highly-potent MX2 (250cc) class.

“I knew I would be on the pace and I was definitely going out there to win,” he said.

Kanters then took his new Bike Torque Yamaha YZ250 to finish fifth in his first points race, for MX2 and veteran riders raced together, with many of the experienced veteran riders on track on 450cc machines.

“I had a pretty good start but I got hit from behind in turn one and went down. I dropped back to 36th place and had a bit of work to do,” said the BikesportNZ.com rider.

Kanters powered through to finish the race fifth, happy with his pace but frustrated by the result.

“In the second race (with MX1 and MX2 riders combined on the track), I had a pretty good start, but I got into a tank-slapper and went down.

“The bike was damaged and I didn’t finish the race.

“I love the new bike. It is nice and light and has plenty of power. I can’t wait until the next big race on it.”

Kanters’ North King Country Motorcycle Club team of six riders finished the event ranked a creditable 11th overall of the 24 club teams entered.

The North King Country Motorcycle Club team comprised Kanters (MX2), Lee McKinstry (MX1), Bryce McDougall (veteran), Aaron King (junior 250cc), Lucas Gisler (junior 125cc), James Scott (junior 85cc), with Joel Hansen (MX1) brought in as a late-notice substitution for McKinstry when McKinstry crashed out in qualifying.

The South Waikato Motorcycle Club team – comprising Dion Picard (MX1 class), Cohen Chase (MX2), Nigel Gainfort (veteran), Ben Broad (junior 250), Wyatt Chase (junior 125) and Ollie Ayre (junior 85cc) – won the 24-team battle and Taupo’s former national junior champion Hadleigh Knight (CMR Red Bull KTM) was top individual in the MX2 grade, but Kanters’ confidence should now be at an all-time high after his efforts at the weekend.

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