Title won on protest

Press, 23 February 1989, Page 31

Title won on protest

Palmerston North’s Leon Andrew finally achieved his career-long goal last weekend when he was crowned national pro under-125cc motocross champion. However, his on the Rotorua circuit was clouded by controversy. Tokoroa’s Darryl Atkins, the series points leader and current title-holder at the start of the third and final round, lost the 1989 title in the protest room. Andrew needed to win all three races to overhaul Atkins, but Pukekohe’s Martin Axtens stepped into the picture when he romped home in the first heat, leaving Andrew and Atkins to fight out second place. Andrew finished second and nibbled two points from Atkins’ lead. Just four points now separated the pair, and the stage was set for a nailbiting second heat. Andrew passed Atkins and the Tokoroa rider returned the favour a lap later, sending Andrew sprawling across the track. Andrew remounted and charged back to second, but lodged a protest over Atkins’ passing manoeuvre. The final race was held up as officials deliberated over the protest. The verdict was given to the riders as they sat on the start line: Atkins disqualified from race two.

At the halfway mark in the third race Andrew began to attack, surging up to third and pressuring Atkins. The rivals replayed their do-or-die antics of race two, banging handlebars through each corner. Andrew finally found the gap on the last lap and took the chequered flag.

A counter-protest from the Atkins camp means the placings are provisional.

Andrew said after the event: “I’m happy to win the title. It’s a pity it had to happen like this, with protests, but I proved today I was the faster rider. I hold no ill feeling towards Darryl (Atkins), I just did what I had to do.”

In the other prestige class it was a case of “if it’s not one King, it’s another” for Wellington’s Murray Anderson. The Yamaha rider finished runnerup to New Plymouth’s Darryl King in the nationals last year and this time it was younger brother Shayne King that foiled Anderson.

King bagged another hattrick of wins in Rotorua yesterday, following up his dominance at Porirua and securing his second national motocross title. The 18-year-old won the national 125 cc title in 1987.