Patetonga - race by race comments

PREAMBLE:

• Long day as most riders left sign–on until race day so they had to be there and set-up before 7am. Patetonga is a good 45 minutes from the top of the Bombays so a long day from any direction as there is no local accommodation.
• Crisp clear morning but mild temperatures. It was going to be a warm day.
• We set-up close to Rhys Carter who had Kieran Leigh on the spanners. Kieran is only just back on the bike after some time off due to a tibia/fibia break which still has the rod in it. He said his fitness is right up there but bike fitness will be another story.
• Whilst we set-up the water truck came down the start straight three times – mmmmmmm.
• Sign-on was all very relaxed, they were not interested in sighting riders boots but guys, put your helmet approval code in your Licence.
• Caught up with Blake Gillard who did not front at Timaru - he had been bed-ridden for five days.
• CMR Racing KTM's Shaun Fogarty was riding MX1 and 125 2-stroke at Timaru but had cracked his collarbone in practice. I had commented that he's tough, but not that tough to ride two Classes, especially at this level. At Patetonga Shaun would only ride 125 Class - that was my call as well, as he the only one at Timaru to really push Ethan. CMR's Cannon Smith and Martin Collins had recruited Blake Gillard to ride their KTM350 for the rest of the series - good call.
• Riders briefing at 8am sharp. Conducted by Gonk (can't remember his real name !) so it was going to be an entertaining affair.
• The 115% rule was explained again and that the start-gate would be top 30. Non qualifiers and those outside the 115% rule would go to MX3.
• MNZ Steward's Timaru threat of "particular attention to incorrect colour backgrounds on Class numbers and no back numbers”, was not even mentioned and not even policed – that I saw or heard.
• For the rest of the series they would introduce new 2 Laps and 1 Lap board at the 20 minutes. These boards are black lettering on white and about 750mm high so can't be missed – great idea as visible for the pit crews as well.
• Bryan Davidson, MNZ's Motocross Commissioner, asked for feedback from the riders – "it's your event !”
• Josh Coppins asked if a blue flag would be used ? In Motorsport a still blue flag means there is traffic behind you and a waved blue flag means pull over and let the faster traffic through. No, was the answer – Gonk offered the red or the black flag. Josh pointed out that at Timaru he lapped up to 8th place. Patetonga is narrow in places. The MNZ Steward said they would look at it.
• Darryll King (DK from herein) asked if all MX2 riders go out at once for practice/qualifying ? Answer was yes and this time there was more than Timaru's 38 - there was 42. DK asked the riders that were not racing the clock to keep to the left and not stop on the track – good call.
• Patetonga MCC members were handing out flyers for the Hauraki Plains College Invitational 2011 Secondary Schools MX event to be held at Patetonga on Friday 06 May. Top 5 trophies on the day. $70 per rider per class - $50 for second entry. Limited to 40 riders per class. Closes 26 April. Any enquiries to: amandaf@haurakiplains.school.nz
• I know that the Ardmore event, the 2011 Schools MX Champs will be on Sunday 01 May at Ardmore. Any enquiries to: John & Paula Cobb cobbproductions@xtra.co.nz
• Also a Christchurch Fundraiser Week @ Maddix Park from Monday 28 Feb to Sunday 06 March. The main MX track, the mini track and the trail loops will be open. All entry fees paid by riders during the week go to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Fund. Thursday Twilight and Sunday Lunchtime sausage sizzle will cost $1 per sausage. Proceeds to fund. Free cards will not be valid during this week. Support Christchurch and have a fun ride at the same time ! Maddix Park is open from 8.30am to dusk every day, weather permitting. Check the website www.maddixpark.co.nz for updates or phone 07 544 2251. Maddix Park is at 465 Rowe Road, Ohauiti, Tauranga.

CATCH UPS:

• I had heard earlier in the week from Scott Wilkins that Aussie Joel Dinsdale's dad Steve Disdale, had died from a heart attack. They have been to NZ several times and were last here for the Junior Oceania. Steve was a former National rider.
• Matt Humphrey from Colemans Suzuki knew him when he lived in Mackay. Steve was a cane farmer at Marian just out of Mackay. He and his mates were doing boxing for fitness and he suffered a heart attack. Funeral is this Thursday – he was only 47 years old.
• On the subject of Matt Humphrey I quizzed him on his Suzuki cap - for good reason. I knew why but asked not to say however it's out now. Matt actually left Colemans on Monday. He said he was departing on the best of terms and going to be the Dealer Development Supervisor for Yamaha Motor NZ. Matt will be in Sydney for three months from 08 March working at Yamaha HQ, out between Parramatta and Eastern Creek.
• I again caught up with Stu Lamont, Kayne's dad. Kayne's entry Visa is still being held up - the Christchurch situation not helping. The application was rejected in the name of Maxxis Apico Suzuki as the actual employer is Robb Hooper Racing. He hopes to get away today - Wednesday.
• I also had the latest from Jan Doeksen Jnr on his brother Joel. Joey has been riding in Spain with Ceriel Klein Kromhof who along with Glenn Coldenhoff (he was at Taupo's Junior Worlds) was in the Netherlands Team in last year's MX of European Nations. Joey is now on Ceriel's pace. They were racing on Saturday and Ceriel ‘mucked' up a scrub and crashed heavily – broken tibia, fibia and ankle.
• Another Catch Up was Scott Canham. The talented KX rider was helping the Fly Team Green. Scott has been of the MX scene having had a full left knee reconstruction. He said he is just back riding.
• Grant Van der Drift who earned 10 MX1 points at Timaru had his left wrist and thumb in plaster – looked like a Scaphoid.

PRACTICE / QUALIFYING

• 125: All the excitement came at the end of the session. The track was boggy to start and the pace only came on at the end of their 30 minutes. At Lap 9 Dion Picard put up the fastest of 2:28.111 and we all thought that was it but the Ethan Martens put up a 2:25.991, shortly followed by Scott Barr-Smith on 2:28.125 and Josh Jack on 2:28.145. Shaun Fogarty was down at 13th, 7½ seconds off Martens but this was only Qualifying.
• MX2: Burkhart was still fastest at Lap 5 by a whopping 3.09 secs. At Lap 7 DK was only 1:083 off him and the Aussies also closed the gap. At Lap 7 Daniel McCoy was 2:7 seconds off Burga and then on Lap 8 Cody Mackie came in between he and DK by half a second. Kayne Lamont was first of the younger set only 0.08 off McCoy.
• MX1. At Lap 8 Cody Cooper stunned the crowd with a very fast 2:17.548 that was never bettered. Mike Phillips was 2nd at 2:20.291 but then two laps later Josh Coppins cut in between he and Coops. Justin McDonald was 4th and Hayden Clark 5th.
• The buzz in the pits was the big single after the holeshot followed by a lower triple. Cody Cooper was hitting the single fast and taking lots of air and landing after the second of the triple. Hold your breath stuff but he had it nailed. Josh Coppins tried combos ( I saw one reasonably hard casing) but preferred to single then triple which was just as effective. Aussie Daniel McCoy was the only other to try it and he was doubling in and doubling out. When it came to racing McCoy's double, double was giving him several seconds advantage, you could physically see it.

ROUND 1

• MX3 were first up and there was only 15 of them.
• 125 were next and Barr-Smith led out. Martens took over for a lap but then it was back to Barr-Smith for 3 laps. At Lap 6 Martens hit the front and eased out to a 5 sec lead. Interestingly, of the 27 starters, 7 DNF'd. Fogarty did not start well but came home in 5th. Evan Hood was more comfortable on the KX and was 7th.
• MX2: Surprise leading out was Jayden Jessup. Into Lap 3 Burkhart and Nick Saunders had a coming together and went down. Burga badly tweaked his right ankle and pulled out. Jessup stayed in front for 4 laps when DK got past him and stayed there. Jessup's sub-frame almost came off at lap 8 and he pulled out. Mackie had, had a bad start and in one lap went from the tail of the field to 13th. Lap 5 Mackie was down too but only lost one place. Wiki too had started at the back and was passing 5 riders per lap. DK won by 4 secs from Kayne Lamont who was 4.8 secs in front of McCoy. Hamish Dobbyn did well to finish 8th.
• MX1: No surprise as it was Mike Phillips who led out. Campbell Bailey had gone down hard going up the big tabletop and landed heavily on the top, only to be run over by several bikes. Paramedics kept him prone on the track with his bike protecting him. There was three laps of yellow on that section. It looked very serious but they were only doing their job before allowing him move. He was okay and rejoined the racing at Round 3 - with nothing more than a very sore hip. Phillips led every lap to the flag with Coops only 2:6 behind. Josh too was out the front and finished less than a second behind Coops. Justin McDonald was a DNF into Lap 7. Those front three were well gone and it 77 secs back to Blake Gillard who was happier with his own suspension in the CMR KTM. 10 secs to Mason Wilkie. Hayden Clark had a shocker start but finished up 7th.

LUNCH BREAK:

• Supposed to be 30 minutes but they were running 14 minutes late.
• Like Timaru it was a great idea especially with muddy bikes from Practice and Round 1, plus it was a welcomed break.
• Track had formed up well with lots of ruts but very one lined in places.
• I was flatout keeping notes, taking photos and keeping son Scott's MX2 bike water blasted and refuelled etc etc.
• I went down to check Burga and he was in a lot of serious pain.

ROUND 2:

• Only 18 minutes break and MX3 had already started.
• 125: Again it was the Martens, Barr-Smith show with Barr-Smith in front for 6 laps from Lap 2. Martens won by 3.6 secs but Barr-Smith had 26 over Fogarty who had not started well and had to come through. Fogarty and Cameron Negus were never far apart.
• MX2: They were held on the line with bikes running for ages for some unknown reason. They should have been shut down. Aussie Suzuki's Jay Foreman was not happy and had a good right to be. Cam Dillon led out into Lap 3. At Lap 3 Burga had a handy lead but was being reeled in by a flying Cody Mackie. He is manic in tight sections and very exciting to watch. Isaiah McGoldrick was also up the front but faded lap by lap. DK had a poor start by his standards but came through to claim 3rd. He was 5 secs behind Burga who was 6.5 behind Mackie. There was big battles going on in the mid field.

• Riders were coming back very tired after 20 minutes plus 2 laps. Not surprised, check out these ruts in the mid section of the track ?
• MX1: Chaos after the first corner when Mike Phillips looked to go sideways on the face of the big single and went down with Mason Wilkie in the middle of the face and at the front of the pack. As you can see Coops and Josh were clear of it and Coops certainly had the bit between his teeth and was gone. He increased his lead lap after lap to win by a 20.8 secs. Phillips picked up 8 places on his first lap after restarting well behind. Josh maintained 2nd all the way as did Hayden Clark in 3rd and Mason Phillips in 4th. The gaps were 16 and 14 secs. Should mention a fine 7th by Mitch Rees who had been 9th in Race 1. Mike Phillips got through to about 5th then slowed with a front puncture to come home 8th which won't helping his points.

ROUND 3:

• Well done to all - only 5 minutes behind schedule
• 125 Class: It was Martens, Barr-Smith, Dion Picard and Tom Managh all the way to the flag – just the margins varying. Josh Jack and Fogarty were noticeable coming through from bad starts.
• 125 Class Podium: Ethan Martens 75, Scott Barr-Smith 66 and Cam Negus 52. 1 point behind was Fogarty on 51 and Managh 49.
• Under 21yrs 125cc Podium: Ethan Martens 75, Scott Barr-Smith 66, Managh 53. Josh Jack was 51 and Evan Hood 49.
• 125 Championship sees Martens with a 25 point lead and Fogarty and Barr-Smith both on 120, Negus and Managh both on 95.
• In my notes I have scrawled "bloody hot” and it was.
• Riders sitting on the concrete start are protected with shade cloth which is one of the best innovations of any track in NZ.
• Noticable also was the big crowd in attendance. It was $20 to get in the gate with all monies going towards the Club's purchase of the land the track sits on.

• MX2: Cam Dillon led out and held it for two laps. After two more in 2nd he DNF'd – don't know what happened. Mackie was 2nd at Lap 2 and a lap later was down in 18th ? Burga was in the lead at Lap 3 and was gone – gone as in well in the lead ! Slogging away was DK who was 5th at Lap 1 but hit 2nd at Lap 5. Broxy was on the move forward lap by lap after a bad start. Burga won by 11.7 from DK, 3 back to McCoy and 3.5 to Broxy. Close to 10 secs back to Damien King who was looking better than he did at Timaru.
• MX2 Podium: Darryll King 67, Daniel McCoy 58 and Cody Mackie 52. Damien King was on 50 and Burga 47 – pity he DNF'd that first race as he had 0-22-25. That was Yamaha's 2nd win of the day.
• MX2 Championship: Darryll King 125, Cody Mackie 122 and Daniel McCoy 120.
• MX1: Coops and Phillips lead out and at Lap 4 Josh is in front of Phillips. What was going on with Phillips I still don't know as he slipped down several places. Towards the end of the race he came off the back of the bike exiting the cavity next to the start gates. High speed but was back on very quickly.  He had broken off the rear  brake.
• Coops had several ‘moments' when coming upon lapped traffic. He would simply hold it wide open on the limiter which you could have heard in Thames !  He won by 17.7 from Josh with Justin another 17 back. Mitch Rees made the Top 10 again.
• MX1 Podium: Cody Cooper 72, Josh Coppins 64 and Michael Phillips 53. Mason Phillips was 4th on 51 and Hayden Clark 50.
• MX1 Championship: Josh Coppins 136, Cody Cooper 130 and Mike Phillips 122. Justin and Mason are both on 92.
• It was certainly Coops day, he was travelling very fast.

LAST WORD:

• Yamaha holds the Championship lead in all four Classes - fourth is the 125 Under 21's.
• Coops, Coppins and Mike Phillips will be racing at Round 1 of the Aust MX Nationals this Sunday at Broadford.
• Another well run Patetonga event.
• An efficient, experienced Committee is key to it.
• The weather was very hot – but better than rain !
• The track was not as rough as it could have been.
• Dust was getting quite bad by Round 3 especially over the high speed centre tabletop.
• The top riders are quick to tell me their problem is it's not a National level track. Saying it's too skinny in many places and that causes lots of contact. I say "tell Bryan Davidson, that's what he needs to hear.”
• Patetonga is in the middle of nowhere and I was surprised how many spectators were there. If they all paid $20 then the Club did quite nicely.
• TV was there – Telesport with Jamie McCarthy fronting the microphone – hate to think what that total package is costing MNZ !
• Bit of trivia - did you know Jamie is Winstone McCathy's Grandson ?
• Personally, from a marketing point of view, I think they are better to spend the money on advertising the events and getting bigger crowds. The Clubs only revenue for hosting the events is the gate dollars. These are the best MX riders in NZ and really, who cares about television coverage ?  
• Patetonga's Round 2 will be on One Sport on Sunday 10 April. Timaru's Round 1 will be on Sunday 06 March. Times to be advised.
• Announced since is Nick Saunders (aka Gunna) and his girlfriend Megan Dewes are engaged – congratulations to you both.