4th and Final Round of the NZ Motocross Nationals

4^th and Final Round of the NZ Motocross Nationals

Location:           Baratt rd MX track New Plymouth

Date:                  27^th March 2011

Bike/Class:       Honda Hamilton CRF 450, MX1

Overall day:     1^st   Cody Copper

                            2^nd Justin McDonald

                            3^rd  Michael Phillips

Qualifying: It had stopped raining but only a few hours before we got to the track Sunday morning. The track was still water logged and it was hard enough to get around the track let alone get a quick time in. I qualified 3^rd

Moto 1: I got off the slippery concrete gates ok and came around the first turn in about 5^th. I was trying to make a pass on Yamaha’s Hayden Clark when my front wheel slid out. I went down and had to work my way back though the pack. I managed to get into 4^th but the top 3 were gone.

Moto 2: Again I didn’t get the best start and again trying to get around a rider on the first lap I went down. It was hard to see with all the mud and you had to slow down to pull tear offs and navigate your way through the massive ruts. I was getting a little angry at this time but it wasn’t a track you could attack so I rode out the race and made it back up to 5^th.

Moto 3: I got a much better start and came around the first turn in 2^nd. The track was getting a little better as it hadn’t rained all day but it was still dodgy in some places.

I got passed by team mate Justin McDonald on the first lap. He pulled a little gape but I was able to pull it back a little. We stayed about 3-4 seconds apart for the first half of the moto. I made a little mistake and McDonald pulled a little more. I backed it off after the mistake as I had a big gap on 4^th and rode out the race in 3^rd.

Overall Championship:    1^st Cody Cooper

                                              2^nd Josh Coppins

                                              3^rd Michael Phillips

I was happy to finish my first year on the 450 in the top 3 but a little inconsistency cost me any better places in the end.

I want to thank Alex my mechanic for the help and support over the season. Also a big thanks to Honda Hamilton that came on board with their support.

From here I am focusing on the Australian Motocross Championship riding for Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing.

I’ll keep you updated on how it all goes.

Mikey P