Bay of Plenty’s Wyatt Chase is hoping for big things this weekend.

And why not? – the 16-year-old Yamaha rider will be well inside his comfort zone when he tackles the fourth and final round of the New Zealand Motocross Championships at his home track, the Digger McEwen Motorcycle Park facility on the outskirts of Taupo, tomorrow.

He is currently second overall in the 125cc class and, although a whopping 23 points behind the series leader, Ngatea’s Ben Broad (Fox KTM125), Chase knows the Taupo track like the back of his hand and believes this may give him the edge he needs to overhaul Broad.

The 23-point gap may seem an impossible hurdle for Taupo’s Chase to overcome, but anything can happen in the unpredictable sport of motocross and it will just take one slip-up by Broad or an inspirational performance from Chase to tip the balance of power in the other direction.

With a 1-2-1 score-card at round three of the series near Rotorua last weekend, Chase topped the podium in the class, although it was, in reality, only a five-point swing in Chase’s favour.

Broad finished 3-1-2 at Rotorua, to end the day runner-up and keep his title hopes very much alive.

Third in the standings now is Karaka’s Kurtis Lilly (Workshop Graphics Husqvarna Racing Team 125), but he is 43 points further back and in a battle of his own to keep Beachlands’ rider Blake Gillard (ManJan Enterprises KTM 125) at bay. Gillard is just eight points behind Lilly.

Chase will line up with his Total Oils Yamaha YZ125 on Sunday with everything to fight for and nothing to lose.

“I’ve still got a bit of work to do,” he admitted.

“I gained some ground last weekend and Taupo is my track, but it’s going to be tough.

“I need to win at Taupo on Sunday and hope that Broad finishes the day lower than third. That might just do it for me.

“I’ll just keep a level head and ride smart.”

It is easy to see why Chase is in this unenviable position.

The first race of the series, at the championship opener near Timaru in February, cost his dearly. He crashed and struck his head on the ground and, although he managed to claw his way back to 13th in that race, and at least salvage some points, it meant he’d be forced to play ‘catch-up’ for the remainder of the championship.

The dice rolls for the final time tomorrow, with racing set to kick off at about 10am.

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

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