It has been a great season of racing so far for Aucklander Callan May and there’s plenty more to come.

The 24-year-old electrician from Titirangi currently leads three separate off-road motorcycling competitions, although he can take nothing for granted as he comes under fire from a man he rates as a great friend as well as a respected rival.

May has this season taken his Yamaha YZ250FX to the top of the standings in the NZXC cross-country series and the Woodhill Two-Man Series, which he contests as a solo rider, and he also shares the lead in the Dirt Guide Cross-country Series.

There are still three rounds remaining in the NZXC series and one round to go in the Woodhill competition, but there is just one event remaining in the Dirt Guide series too, after the second round of three was held near Atiamuri on Sunday, and that’s where things have become very interesting indeed.

May won the first round of the Dirt Guide Series near Tokoroa in June, with close friend and training buddy Sam Greenslade, of Coatesville, finishing runner-up. But the finishing order was reversed at round two, in forestry near Atiamuri on Sunday, with Greenslade (KTM 250 SX-F) winning the two-hour race by just 32 seconds from May, while former Kiwi international Paul Whibley, from Taikorea, took his Yamaha YZ450FX to cross the line in third place.

This means that May and Greenslade now have identical points and the eventual Dirt Guide trophy winner will be decided at the third and final round near Tokoroa on October 2.

“I was in about second or third place after the shotgun blast start to Sunday’s race,” said May.

“Then I had a big crash after some tree roots grabbed my ankle and that’s when Sam blew past me. I got the lead back after I managed a quicker fuel stop than him, but then I crashed again a couple more times after that when lappers got in my way.

“It is going to be hard-out at the final round (of the Dirt Guide Series) with Sam and I on equal points now. Bring it on.

“No matter how it all works out, I can’t complain though. It’s been a great season for me already to be leading in three competitions.”

Meanwhile, Te Awamutu pair Dan White and Rachael Archer finished first and second respectively in the 90-minute junior race held earlier in the day, with Cambridge’s Beau Taylor claiming third place.

Cambridge’s Zara Gray won the novice grade on Sunday, finishing ahead of Taharoa’s Summer Muru and Tokoroa’s Madison Clarke.

The top three finishers in the mini grade were Rotorua’s Daniel Bates, Cambridge’s Lewy Taylor and New Plymouth’s Josh Houghton.

May is supported by Yamaha Motor New Zealand, Kiwi Rider magazine, BikesportNZ.com, The Dirt Guide, O’Neal, Oakley, Michelin, TCX Boots, Renthal, Zeta, Twinair, Graphic Creations, City Electrix and Construct Now.

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

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