New Zealand’s Trent Collins may have a huge future ahead of him, especially if he can live up to the faith being placed in him by one of Australia’s leading motocross teams.

The 15-year-old from Ohaupo, just south of Hamilton, was outstanding in the junior race action at January’s 55th annual Honda New Zealand Motocross Grand Prix at Woodville and he raced among the seniors the following day too.

All of which should indicate that the Honda Racing Team rider will be worth respecting in Australia this season.

He landed in Australia last weekend to join “Hogan’s Heroes”, becoming a key member of former Australian champion Lee Hogan’s BCP Honda Team, and his build-up to this international campaign has been impressive.

Collins, a year 11 pupil at Cambridge High School, scored a hat-trick of wins in the junior 14-16 years’ 250cc class on Saturday’s first day of action at Woodville, finishing the day a solid 11 points clear of his nearest threat, Nelson’s Reece Walker.

Collins then underlined that unbeaten performance by also winning the joint 125cc-250cc Champion of Champions feature race that wrapped up the day, this time taking the chequered flag ahead of Taupo’s Wyatt Chase.

But more was to come on day two at Woodville.

On the Sunday Collins raced in the talent-laden senior MX2 (250cc) class, joining a full starting grid of 40 elite riders, many of whom were current or former Kiwi internationals.

He settled for 10th overall among this elite company.

“It has been a good summer for me … I won my class on both days at the annual Honda Summercross (just after Christmas), and I won my class at the Auckland Champs and the Waikato Champs.”

Collins continued on to race against the seniors at the four-round New Zealand Motocross Championships, the series wrapping up at Taupo just a few weeks ago.

Despite the fact that, at age 15, he still has nearly two years before he’s compelled to join the senior ranks on a permanent basis, Collins impressed against the “big boys”, finishing eighth overall out of 58 MX2 class entrants in the senior nationals.

There is a sort of transition period allowed for juniors who wish to “dip their toes into the waters” of senior racing, while still retaining their junior status, and Collins was one of those young rising stars who chose to take advantage of this.

“I felt I did pretty well, racing up against the big guns,” said Collins.

“It was important that I didn’t pick up any injuries racing the senior nationals, because I didn’t want to jeopardise my ride in Australia, and I’m thankful I came through the Kiwi series without a scratch. I think I’m riding the best I ever have at the moment.”

So it’s understandable that he is now raring to go when races in Australia this weekend.

“I will be racing for the BCP Honda Team that’s based in Melbourne and run by Lee Hogan.

“I will race the junior 250cc class in the Victorian State Motocross Championships … although I missed the first round of that series because it was the same weekend as the second round of the New Zealand nationals. But I will be there for the next three rounds in Australia and then race a couple of New South Wales state rounds as well.”

Collins will briefly return home to tackle the two-day New Zealand Junior Motocross Championships in Hawke’s Bay on April 23-24, where he should rate among the favourites, before flitting back across the Tasman once again.

To wrap up this Australian adventure, Collins will then line up at the Australian Junior Motocross Championships at the end of the year.

“I’ve simply kept up my training, so there has been no let-up at all. I run, cycle, do gym work and ride my motocross bike during the week, so my fitness should be excellent.

“Lee Hogan has been happy with what he’s seen from me and commented that I’m a great addition to his team. I just need to prove him right.”

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

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