Future stars line up for nationals
There is perhaps no better launch-pad for young Kiwi racers hoping to achieve international motocross fame and fortune than the New Zealand Junior Motocross Championships — and this weekend should be no exception.
It will be all about young racers stepping up to be counted when the 2018 junior motocross nationals blast off near Mosgiel on Saturday and Sunday.
A traditional breeding ground for the sport, this year’s Backflipssponsored junior nationals should again offer a few clues as to where the future senior champions will come from and, if several notable past examples are taken into account, it could also hint at which individuals might go on to become world champions.
World class riders such as Taranaki brothers Darryll, Shayne and Damien King, Motueka’s Josh Coppins and Bay of Plenty’s Ben Townley, all now retired, and current Kiwi internationals such as Hamilton’s Josiah Natzke, Christchurch’s Dylan Walsh and Otago’s Courtney Duncan can all trace their beginnings back to their junior motocross days in New Zealand.
At least two of last season’s junior motocross nationals frontrunners — Mangakino’s Maximus Purvis and Oparau’s James Scott — will not be racing at Mosgiel this weekend because they too are now focused on racing overseas this year, in Australia and Europe respectively.
The pathway to the top is clear and so plenty could be at stake for the racing careers of young championship hopefuls this weekend.
Wairoa’s Tommy Watts is one rider who will be expected to step up and be counted at Mosgiel.
Watts finished overall runner-up in the Senior 125cc nationals, which wrapped up in Taupo in March, and he will be firm favourite to win the junior 15-16 years 125cc title in Mosgiel.
However, he can expect to be pushed by multi-time former national junior champion Grason Veitch, of Dunedin, and perhaps riders such as Rongotea’s Zac Jillings, too.
Veitch, who won the 12-14 years 125cc crown back-to-back, in 2016 and again last year, now steps up to the 15-16 years 125cc division and will also this year tackle the 14-16 years 250cc class.
The 250cc class title is the most coveted of all and Veitch will have his work cut out facing riders such as Palmerston North’s Toby Winiata, Patea’s Leroy Gwynn, Te Awamutu’s Daniel White, Lincoln’s Trent Garland and Rangiora’s Korban Paget.
The 12-14 years 125cc class should belong to Tauranga’s Brodie Connolly, who won the 13-16 years’ 85cc class at the nationals last year and who was unbeaten in this 125cc class at the annual Woodville GP in January.
The eldest of the 85cc classes, for riders aged between 13 and 16, is again bulging with talent this season, with riders such as Rangiora’s Cobie Bourke, Rongotea’s Seth Henson, Ashburton’s Ben Wall, Rongotea’s Rhys Jillings, Hamilton’s Nick Westgate, Tuakau’s Tyler Brown and Invercargill’s Jack Symon among the many who could be expected to shine.
Henson won the 11-12 years 85cc title last season, but he has since had a birthday and moves up an age division.
Others to watch for this weekend include Ashburton’s Mitchell Stocker, New Plymouth’s Logan Kerrisk, Darfield’s Tyler Wiremu, Tokaui’s Mitchell Weir, Cambridge’s Jared Hannon and Leeston brothers Kobe and Kase Thoms. Wiremu won the 9-11 years 65cc title at the mini nationals last year but now steps up to the junior 11-12 years 85cc grade.
The venue for racing is Scorgies Property, Lee Stream Rd, on State Highway 87 at Outram.