Round two of the 2024 Un4seen NZ Sprint Series (NZSS) near Marton at the weekend was a stunner, in terms of splendid venue and close competition too.
Located in the Rangitikei region at Cam Smith’s family farm, the former NZ GNCC champion always opens up some of his best paddocks on the Romney Sheep stud. This year was no exception.
Two tests of 7km and 9km laid out through rolling hill country, secret little gulley’s and with pockets of bush and pines laced in.
Round one winner Tommy Buxton, from Helensville, started were he left off and set the pace through the first test.
Posting the top three times for the session on his KTM and establishing some breathing room for the afternoon session on the more open test.
Auckland’s Ryan Hayward kept Buxton on his toes and posted a late hot lap and got close, but with four out of five fastest laps in the afternoon, Buxton solidified his position and took the win.
Auckland’s Charlotte Russ was again the dominant rider in the women’s class, posting some very respectable times and consistently placing well up in the overall standings.
In the Junior grade, Ollie Corban came out on top in the morning session. Posting three of the top five times.
But the battle was only just starting with Sheldon Brown posting the single fastest lap of the session by two seconds.
Going into test two in the afternoon, they were separated by just 3 seconds.
This is what the NZSS is all about.
Brown came out swinging and reeled off fast lap after fast lap. Steadily posting quicker and quicker times, until he had the top five laps of the session all to himself. Cementing his win in the Juniors.
The Junior grade involved split classes (85cc/150f and 125cc and over), with the Junior 12-16 85cc won by South Wairarapa’s Bailey Newbould. Competing against the boys, she finished 8th overall for the day against the big size and engine bikes on her 85cc machine, completing a total of 17 laps.
The Mini class had some heat to it also. Last year’s Champ, Colton Whibley (pictured above) had some stiff competition with Tanner Manson and Vinnie Edwards running some quick laps. But, in the end, Whibley rose to the occasion and posted a solid win to keep his title defence on track.
There’s one round remaining at an all-new property near Te Kuiti, on March 17. It’s going to be an exciting conclusion to the Un4seen NZSS.
© Photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com
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