A plucky winner

Press, 12 November 1985, Page 21

A plucky winner

Despite a spectacular crash in the last race, James Lavender (Christchurch) got up to finish fourth and emerge a game winner of the 12-15 years class in the Westland junior moto X championships. Lavender prevailed by one point over John Harvey (Nelson) in the class for 125 cu cm machines. Bad weather made the going difficult for the third and fourth races on the first day of the events, which were held at Kawhaka, near Hokitika. But a local rider, Geoff McNee, revelled in the conditions, establishing a sevenpoint lead over his nearest rival in the 12-15 years class for 85 cu cm machines. He eventually won the class by 11 points from David Richards (Christchurch). Another Christchurch rider, Callum Reid, was denied third place when his Yamaha seized in the last race. Karl Brixton (Rangiora)

made no race of the 8-11 years class, gaining seven straight wins. Kelly Frame (Culverden) and Darin Hammond (Belfast) battled vigorously for second place, the latter losing his chance when he hit a spectator who had wandered on to the track. Results:— 8-11 years (85 cu cm).— Karl Brixton (Rangiora), 1; Kelly Frame (Culverden), 2; Darrin Hammond (Belfast), 3; Kahu Pahi (Christchurch), 4; Gary Ridden (Christchurch), 5. 12-15 years (85 cu cm).— Geoff McNee (Hokitika), 1; David Richards (Christchurch), 2; Timothy McDonald (Oxford), 3; Callum Reid (Christchurch), 4; Dean Cattermole (Christchurch), 5. 12-15 years (125 cu cm).James Lavender (Christchurch), 1; John Harvey (Nelson), 2; Keiron Hebberd (Seddon), 3; Craig Fairhall (Greymouth), 4; Dean Baird (Christchurch), 5.