South Islander Ian Ffitch probably feels he’s back where he belongs after the 2014 New Zealand ATV Motocross Championships wrapped up near his home town of Amberley on Sunday.

The multi-time former national ATV (all terrain vehicle) champion was blighted with suspension problems when the nationals were held near Te Kuiti last season, but he struck back with a vengeance this time around, taking the premier title ahead of last year’s winner, Camo Keegan, of Stratford, with Canterbury’s Craig Cox finishing third, while Keegan’s brother, Scott Keegan, and Canterbury ATV Association vice-president Matt Mustchin rounded out the top five.

Canterbury’s Ffitch won six of the seven races over the weekend to finish a massive 34 points ahead of his Taranaki rival.

Hosted by the Canterbury ATV Association, the Rhino Lining-sponsored New Zealand ATV Motocross Championships at Amberley was blessed with perfect weather and track conditions.

“If the event was to be summed up in one word, that word would be ‘awesome’. The racing was extremely close and very exciting,” said Mustchin.

Many of the other classes were also dominated by Canterbury riders, with just a few exceptions.

New Plymouth’s Luke Etheridge was beaten only once on his way to winning the Open Expert grade ahead of Gisborne’s Ian Newman, with Christchurch rider Daniel Cowie taking the third step on the podium.

Christchurch’s Sam George, New Plymouth’s Jack Burr and Christchurch’s Richard McGlashen finished in that order on the 450cc Production class podium, while Aucklander Tyla Nairn won four of seven races in the 250cc Production class to win that from Christchurch’s Taylor Graham and Amberley’s Angus Parish.

Auckland’s Trent Way was untouchable in the 125cc Production class, roaring to a streak of seven wins from seven starts and finishing a comfortable 27 points clear of runner-up Jessie Lyall, of Christchurch, with fellow Canterbury rider Max Le Compte taking third step on the podium.

The top veteran class rider was Christchurch’s Gary Doig, who never finished worse than second all weekend, edging out Napier’s Wade Taylor and Christchurch’s Lorne Kirk.

Christchurch riders swept the Mini Quad Kids class with Kalese Le Compte winning ahead of Sam Mustchin and his sister Cara Mustchin, while Westport’s Steven Franc and Southland’s Steven Orr fought fiercely for top honours in the Clubmans’ grade, with Franc winning in the end by just two points.

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

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