Slip and slide in the snow
Round one of the Top of the South Veteran Motocross Club’s Mainland series got away to a snowy start on Sunday at Lake Station, St Arnaud.
With a good covering of snow, speedway sliding was the best way to get around the corners. However, Brent Daniel’s defence of the High Point Trophy did not begin well, with one bike not running right and crashes and a chain derailment on the other bike meaning he will have to work hard over the next round to make up points.
There were some good battles in most classes. In the pre-78 class, Gary Richards leads after round one with a second and first. Rob Anglesey is second with a first and second and Nathan Waller is third with two third placings.
Ben Alexander and Neil Wardle had some good battles in the midbore and pre-86 races, with Alexander emerging on top after a second and first. Wardle also recorded a first and second to be tied on points, Alexander claiming the lead in both classes by virtue of better last races.
Karl Griffith was third in the midbore class although in the pre-86 class, the third to fifth placed riders are tied on 36 points. Tracey Downing claimed third overall after a better last race.
Chris Matthews dominated the smallbore class with two first placings. Craig Holtham had a good day with two seconds, and Barry Gardiner was third.
The veterans had some close battles for first place, with Mike Strampel and Chris Matthews going bar to bar in both races.
Strampel got the better of Matthews in both races, leaving Malcolm Smith in third.
The event was held on the McConochie family’s Lake Station property and was sponsored by Repco Motueka. Round two is at Balcairn in Christchurch on July 29
More info: sportsground.co.nz/ totsvmx, or phone Brent on 027 224 7878.