The peat was nailed recently at the Hauraki Plains College Motocross team’s “Nailing the Peat” MX tournament, held on the Wenn Family Trust farm in Patetonga.

There is never a perfect track or day, but this event came very close to it.

No watering systems were needed and there was no dust. What was seen was 110 riders having an absolute blast on the peat. A total of 27 schools were represented some from as far away as Havelock North, Wairoa and Gisborne – that is commitment and they can’t be thanked enough for driving for hours to support our day.

With 19 girls lined up on the start gates which was the biggest gate it was a pleasure to watch so many girls nailing the peat – the huge smiles told the story and you really needed to be there to believe it.

There was some outstanding racing on the track and some amazing skills were shown on this flat paddock of peat, the ruts and berms formed up throughout the day which made for some interesting racing, but if there was ever a place to use your riding skills this was it and the talent of the riders shined just like the sun.

The club couldn’t put these events on without the commitment of sponsors and supporter who all deserve a medal – when people email the organisers and say “hey we have something for you or we’d like to help” it just makes everything so worthwhile.

More than 50 trophies have been handed out with eight school teams shining, but the highlight for me was seeing Ethan Bustard (HPC) nail the peat on his 2003 RM85 and Jordan Nicholson (HPC) very new to the team, just mended from two broken bones in both wrists, never raced on any sort of track to come home 1st in his class and pick up the “WOW” trophy picked and presented by commentator Neil Ritchie.

Hauraki Plains College principal Ngaire Harris commented: “What a great day – well done HPC MX team”. She also presented the eight school team trophies that went home along with the supporter’s class medals.

Will there be another? – absolutely … it may be raining next October though – so if you don’t want to get wet or are looking for the perfect track don’t enter.

Photo of Sam Saunders (above) courtesy Logan West Photography