NZ Moto4 Racing
13th January 2015, 10:53
The Second round of the 2014/15 North Island Series was a huge hit this weekend.
A-grade had 20 bikes lined up for the first start along the short and narrow, yet very technical circuit.
The track is true old-school with a basic kidney shape, plenty of banking and and incredible amount of grip.
Qualifying is all important on such a narrow track, with only 2 bikes per row.
Pole Went to Kelly Nicholson (38) on his very fast RS Framed KE125 Special, with Regan Griffiths (92) next to him on his trusty and ever-evolving GPR 150.
Nipping at their heels on the second row was Will Ford (52) on his fathers TF engined RS that he is running this season. And Regan's Brother Scott (11) on his GPR150.
Race 1
Regan upheld his reputation as a master of the race start, he nailed the launch to get ahead of Kelly in to turn one.
The pack thundered into the chaos of turn one with a few quick changes in position.
While charging Scott crashed out towards the end of the epic 270+ degree turn one.
In the lead Kelly was putting the pressure on Regan and one tiny glance behind was all it took for Kelly to pounce, he snatched the lead and managed to retain it for the win.
Race 2
The same battles were taking place all through the pack, Will was stuck to Kelly's tail as #38 nipped up running up the hill, Will just managed to avoid a tangle but lost some time and Scott and Ken Douglas (91) managed to sneak past.
This gave Regan a clear break and he cleared out.
Will kept at them and they diced right until the line for second place, with a few changes, they came over the line in a very tight pack, in the end Second
went to Scott, Third to Ken and Will got Fourth after looking back at just the wrong moment and letting Ken through over the line.
Race 3
With Kelly's bike out, Race 3 became a battle between Regan, Will, Scott and Ken.
Most of the race was in that order, Scott retired part way through, letting Ken in to 3rd.
Ken gradually slipped back with Regan in front and Will chasing hard for all of the 25 laps but Regan held him off and crossed the line in front.
B-Grade
The B grade races had some Hot Battles between John Steer (36) and Dave Griffiths (75 and 11). John spent all of race 2 and 3 trying every move he could to get past Dave but Dave held him off well and managed to finish in front both times.
A similar battle was taking place further back in the back with Steve Bennett (42) trying to get past Terrene Gibson (18), Terrene managing to just hold him off right until the photo finish, with Terrene in front.
Pit Bikes
With a growing interest in pit-bikes in Auckland, plus James (88) bringing his Rockstar pitty up from Wellington there were enough pit-bikes to create a separate class.
This was a hit with both the riders and spectators, who enjoyed the close and loose racing taking place.
Mike Spiller (X) Was initially worried about his own race-craft but proved it is coming along just fine with a master move on two bikes very deep in to turn one, that one move really got the crowd cheering with fellow racers and a few locals joining it to cheer him on through the rest of the race.
Running a dedicated pit bike class seemed to work very well with exciting racing and good crowd interest.
Thanks to all the organisers who made this fantastic weekend possible.
A-grade had 20 bikes lined up for the first start along the short and narrow, yet very technical circuit.
The track is true old-school with a basic kidney shape, plenty of banking and and incredible amount of grip.
Qualifying is all important on such a narrow track, with only 2 bikes per row.
Pole Went to Kelly Nicholson (38) on his very fast RS Framed KE125 Special, with Regan Griffiths (92) next to him on his trusty and ever-evolving GPR 150.
Nipping at their heels on the second row was Will Ford (52) on his fathers TF engined RS that he is running this season. And Regan's Brother Scott (11) on his GPR150.
Race 1
Regan upheld his reputation as a master of the race start, he nailed the launch to get ahead of Kelly in to turn one.
The pack thundered into the chaos of turn one with a few quick changes in position.
While charging Scott crashed out towards the end of the epic 270+ degree turn one.
In the lead Kelly was putting the pressure on Regan and one tiny glance behind was all it took for Kelly to pounce, he snatched the lead and managed to retain it for the win.
Race 2
The same battles were taking place all through the pack, Will was stuck to Kelly's tail as #38 nipped up running up the hill, Will just managed to avoid a tangle but lost some time and Scott and Ken Douglas (91) managed to sneak past.
This gave Regan a clear break and he cleared out.
Will kept at them and they diced right until the line for second place, with a few changes, they came over the line in a very tight pack, in the end Second
went to Scott, Third to Ken and Will got Fourth after looking back at just the wrong moment and letting Ken through over the line.
Race 3
With Kelly's bike out, Race 3 became a battle between Regan, Will, Scott and Ken.
Most of the race was in that order, Scott retired part way through, letting Ken in to 3rd.
Ken gradually slipped back with Regan in front and Will chasing hard for all of the 25 laps but Regan held him off and crossed the line in front.
B-Grade
The B grade races had some Hot Battles between John Steer (36) and Dave Griffiths (75 and 11). John spent all of race 2 and 3 trying every move he could to get past Dave but Dave held him off well and managed to finish in front both times.
A similar battle was taking place further back in the back with Steve Bennett (42) trying to get past Terrene Gibson (18), Terrene managing to just hold him off right until the photo finish, with Terrene in front.
Pit Bikes
With a growing interest in pit-bikes in Auckland, plus James (88) bringing his Rockstar pitty up from Wellington there were enough pit-bikes to create a separate class.
This was a hit with both the riders and spectators, who enjoyed the close and loose racing taking place.
Mike Spiller (X) Was initially worried about his own race-craft but proved it is coming along just fine with a master move on two bikes very deep in to turn one, that one move really got the crowd cheering with fellow racers and a few locals joining it to cheer him on through the rest of the race.
Running a dedicated pit bike class seemed to work very well with exciting racing and good crowd interest.
Thanks to all the organisers who made this fantastic weekend possible.