Queenstown’s Scotty Columb is fired up and he will take some stopping as the New Zealand Motocross Championships head for a thrilling conclusion in less than two weeks’ time.

The 28-year-old Queenstown rider won the day in the MX2 (250cc) class at the third of four rounds of the national series near Pukekohe on Sunday.

It was enough for Columb (Moto City Suzuki RM-Z250) to shave five points off the lead previously enjoyed by Hamilton’s defending champion Darryll King (MXDK Yamaha YZ250) and put Columb just one point behind the Waikato man.

“I’m pretty happy with my performance today,” said Columb afterwards. “I was a bit frustrated with my first two races. I just need to get out of the start box quicker,” he said.

“It’s becoming a bit of a trend that I win the last race of the day. I’m fit and I’m strong and I just need to nail the starts.

“I really want this title badly.”

His Moto City Suzuki team manager, Mount Maunganui’s Andrew Hardisty, himself a multi-time national champion, confirmed it was a “pleasing day for the team”.

“It was a great day for Scotty (Columb) and a solid day for (MX1 class rider) Cody Cooper.

“The bikes ran perfectly today. It just goes to show how good these bikes are.”

Mount Maunganui’s Cooper, the defending national MX1 champion, remains third overall in the hunt for MX1 honours in 2012 but he is also still in touch for glory with three races left in the class at the final round at Taupo in less than two weeks’ time (on March 18).

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