New Zealand 4-stroke MX Championship

The New Zealand Four-Stroke Motocross Championship was run over the weekend and New Plymouth’s Mitch Rowe took eight wins from nine starts  at Crownthorpe, just outside Napier.

The 3.2-km course was set in 40 acres of undulating natural terrain.

The 36-year old Taranaki builder contested both the Open Motocross and the Veterans class on his KTM 520. Rowe posted clear victories in his four races in the mud and drizzle on Saturday and he remained dominant, when the mist lifted and the sun came out on Sunday, posting a further four wins to take the win in the Open Championship and the Veteran support class.

Rowe was not so lucky, in the feature event, the Champion of Champions, when the top eight from each championship class go head to head. Rowe fell, rejoined the race in 18th place, and then battled back to come home 6th overall. Chris Maitland (Auckland) won the race, also on a KTM 520.

Nicki Urwin of Tauranga on a Suzuki DRZ400 took out the 400cc class after battling with Mark Penny of Te Awamutu on a similar machine.

The 350cc class was won by Ben Harding of Napier on a Honda XR280, while the 250cc class was taken out by Taranaki’s Cameron Laird from Invercargill’s Andrew Hardisty both on Yamaha YZF 250s.

Provisional Results:
Suzuki New Zealand Four-Stroke Motocross Championships

Champion of Champions:
1) Chris Maitland; Auckland; KTM 520
2) Damon Smith; Auckland; KTM 520
3) Cameron Laird; Taranaki; Yamaha YZF250

Open Motocross:
Mitch Rowe; New Plymouth; KTM520 
Jason Satchwell; Taupo; Husaburg401 
Mark Thompson; Christchurch; Honda XR650 

400cc Motocross:
Nicki Urwin; Tauranga; Suzuki DRZ400 
Mark Penny; Te Awamutu; Suzuki DRZ400 
Ben Thomasen; Waihi; Suzuki DRZ400 

350cc Motocross: 
Ben Harding; Napier; Honda XR280 
Michael Paterson; Christchurch; Honda XR280 
Gaden Gray; Otorohunga; Honda XR280 

250cc Motocross:
Cameron Laird; Taranaki; Yamaha YZF250 
Andrew Hardisty; Invercargill; Yamaha YZF250
Craig Brown; Auckland; Kawasaki KLX250 

Women’s Motocross:
Jamie Lee Caldwell; Tauranga; Yamaha YZF250 
Julie Managh; Te Puke; Honda XR280 
Tina Arlidge; Napier; KTM 400