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TURNING BACK TIME

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We here at BikesportNZ.com take literally thousands of photos at the dozens of events we travel to, but, the shame is, most never see the light of day.

So we have decided to trawl through our archives and dig out some of those shots that either have never been seen before or simply that rate among our favourites and deserve a second viewing … we are calling it our “weekend wind-back”. Dillon-0015-b Dillon-0119-b King-0006-b McGoldrick-Micah-0043-b Natzke-0039-b Picard-0034-b Walsh-0005-b

Our aim is not to embarrass anyone, but we are sure you’ll all appreciate seeing these old snaps.

Today we have decided to feature a few snap shots from the New Zealand Junior Motocross Championships at Taupo in 2009.

Among the riders featured here include Cam Dillon, Micah McGoldrick, Josiah Natzke, Dylan Walsh, Dion Picard and Campbell King. In the main photo above you may recognise Haki Waller, Callum Moore and Courtney Duncan.

BikesportNZ.com was there, of course, to record all the action and here is our press report for that event …

NZ JUNIOR CHAMPS 2009

Taupo’s Cameron Dillon saved his best for last at the 2009 New Zealand Junior Motocross Championships.

The KTM and Kawasaki-sponsored event was staged in his home town and that meant he had plenty of vocal locals cheering him on as he chased down the two premier titles.

The 16-year-old Kiwi international responded to the encouragement by winning them both on his blood-red Honda motorcycles.

But he probably had his team manager – former world champion Shayne King – a little bit worried as he trailed Whakatane Yamaha ace Mitchell Rees by one point as they lined up for the fifth and final race in the battle for 14-16 years’ 250cc four-stroke honours.

It all boiled down to this: Whomever of these two riders finished in front at the end of that race would be crowned champion and, after nine brutal laps of handlebar-to-handlebar action it was Dillon who had the upper hand.

Rees settled for championship runner-up and Rotorua Kawasaki rider John Phillips ended the weekend in third.

Dillon also won the 15-16 years’ 125cc class, albeit a little more comfortably, finishing 26 points ahead of Auckland KTM rider James Ainsworth, with Wanganui’s Tom Managh (Suzuki) taking third.

“I’m glad that’s over,” declared Dillon afterwards. “I put everything into that last race. I didn’t leave anything on the table.

“I’m going duck shooting now and having a rest from the bikes. Then I’ll be training hard again for the Junior World Motocross Championships (also in Taupo, in August).”

Atiamuri’s Dion Picard (Suzuki) won the 12-14 years’ 125cc class after another final race thriller, beating Auckland KTM pair Joel Doeksen and Liam Underwood to the crown, while Dunedin’s Campbell King (Honda) pipped Whakatarie’s Jacob Heath (Honda) for the 12-16 years’ 150cc class title in another last-race run-off for glory.

Rangiora’s Micah McGoldrick (KTM) was unbeaten in his five 13-16 years’ 85cc class races and Hamilton’s Josiah Natzke (Yamaha) was similarly dominant in the 8-10 years’ 85cc class. Christchurch’s Dylan Walsh (KTM) showed consistency still counts when he collected the 11-12 years’ 85cc title after class leader Kurt Langford (Kati Kati, Suzuki) crashed in the final race.

There were plenty of hard luck stories to be told over the weekend with riders such as Atiamuri brothers Ryan and Hadleigh Knight (both KTM), Mangakino’s Kayne Lamont (Yamaha), Auckland’s Paxton Tibbits (Yamaha), Feilding’s Haki Waller (Kawasaki), Dunedin’s Courtney Duncan (Honda) and Oamaru’s Joel Meikle (Honda) all showing incredible pace but crashes, injury or mechanical failure robbed each of them of higher rankings.

Leading final standings:

14-16 years’ 250cc class:

  1. Cameron Dillon (Taupo, Honda) 112 points;
  2. Mitchell Rees (Whakatane, Yamaha) 110;
  3. John Phillips (Rotorua, Kawasaki) 90.

15-16 years’ 125cc class:

  1. Cameron Dillon (Taupo, Honda) 125 points;
  2. James Ainsworth (Auckland, KTM) 99;
  3. Tom Managh (Wanganui, Suzuki) 81.

12-14 years’ 125cc class:

  1. Dion Picard (Atiamuri, Suzuki) 113 points;
  2. Joel Doeksen (Auckland, KTM) 103;
  3. Liam Underwood (Auckland, KTM) 100.

12-16 years’ 150cc class:

  1. Campbell King (Dunedin, Honda) 119 points;
  2. Jacob Heath (Whakatarie, Honda) 116;
  3. Michael Armitage (Otautau, Honda) 100.

13-16 years 85cc class:

  1. Micah McGoldrick (Rangiora, KTM) 125 points (maximum);
  2. Brandon Tipene (Auckland, KTM) 101;
  3. Logan Blackburn (Tauranga, Yamaha) 99.

11-12 years’ 85cc class:

  1. Dylan Walsh (Christchurch, KTM) 98 points;
  2. Kurt Langford (Kati Kati, Suzuki) 94;
  3. Tyler Breingan (Opotiki, Yamaha) 88.

8-10 years’ 85cc class:

  1. Josiah Natzke (Hamilton, Yamaha) 125 points (maximum);
  2. Wyatt Chase (Taupo, Yamaha) 83;
  3. Sean Kelly (Te Kuiti, Kawasaki) and Camden Butler (Masterton, Yamaha) 82.

© Words and photos by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

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