BMX New Zealand Inc. P O Box 12-199 Chartwell Hamilton New Zealand 3248

22.08.2014

NEWSLETTER NO. 4

Welcome to the fourth edition of the National BMXNZ Newsletter. These are put together every three months and we would encourage clubs to submit stories, news and race reports in here to keep the NZ BMX community up to date with our news and events - no story is too big or too small. This is a newsletter with real people stories for our members. This newsletter is dominated by the Worlds results, all of which we are hugely proud of. Thanks to all of those that contributed especially those who sent in stories while still in Europe! Thanks to BikeNZ,Adam Coker, Sue Walker, Bayleigh Rees, Julia McLean, Anna & Dion Ernest, Joe Calkin, Stuff, Waikato Times, Sharon Cheesman,Matt Cameron Face Book(steals)

WORLDS 2014 (BikeNZ) Jason Kelly crashed in his first moto, but came through his qualifiers to finish second in the same Sue Walker, the New Zealand Challenge Classes division. team manager, witnessed a great exhibition during New Zealand riders gained strength and confidence racing at the UCI BMX World Championships. through their eights, quarters and semi- finals, giving On day one12 New Zealand riders paved the way for their best and showed their great Kiwi spirit. the opening session, all finding the skills and Please click here to view Day 1 NZ Results - World competitive drive of the large European contingency Challenge 17 and over/World Championships tough work. Masters. A clear standout was Adam Coker who won all of his races convincingly in the 25-29 year old division. 1 The second day of challenge class competition saw Wyatt Stevens McNab W2 - Silver Medal 5-11 and 12-16 year old riders compete, with New Zealand riders earning 4 gold, 4 silver and 3 bronze 8 Yr Girls medals. Sacha Earnest W1 - Gold Medal Kiwi riders represented New Zealand on Day 2 at the BMX Worlds in Rotterdam with pride and 9 Yr Boys determination. The gates opened at 6.30am for the 5 Jake Earnest 5th in 1/8ths to 11 year olds morning session, with racing commencing at 8.30am. Jack Greenough W6

Team Management ran the pits area well where Maui Morrison 7th in 1/8ths cool-downs, refreshments and organisation all resulted in a stress free rider atmosphere. Konrad Troup Qualifiers

The afternoon session of 12 to 16 year old riders had 9 Yr Girls its highs and lows with riders pushing themselves, resulting in some casualties. The results show a Leila Walker W1 - Gold Medal positive succession from the Auckland World Championships in 2013 through training, International 10 Yr Girls travel (at riders' expense) and New Zealand tracks. Laura Fisher Qualifiers The number of riders who made it through to semi and quarter finals throughout the day is a credit to Megan Williams W3 - Bronze Medal their skill and hard work in training. 11 Yr Girls

Maia Colman Savage W2 - Silver Medal

10 Yr Boys

Keegan Calkin Qualifiers

Nathan Jordan Qualifiers

Toby Meek 6th in 1/8ths

Lachlan Stevens McNab W2 - Silver Medal

11 Yr Boys

Rico Bearman W1 - Gold Medal

Bennett Greenough W8 Day 2 Results - Challenge Classes 13 Yr Boys 5-6 Yr Boys

Cailen Calkin W1 - Gold Medal Sterling Stevens-McNab 5th in 1/4s Mason Colman Savage Qualifiers 5-7 Yr Girls 14 Yr Boys Lily Greenough 5-7g W3 - Bronze Medal Ryan Jordan 7th in semis Nora Troop Qualifiers Mitchell McFarlane Qualifier 7 Yr Boys 15 Yr Boys Rory Meek W3 - Bronze Medal Jayden Fleming Semis 8 Yr Boys Maynard Peel W8 Lucas Bhimy 2 16 Yr Boys Over the past several days of training and competition, the accredited staff have felt privileged Bayleigh Rees Semis to guide an awesome group of Kiwi riders and share in their success. It was commented upon by many Lewis Smith Quarters riders how the atmosphere In the Kiwi pits area was very relaxed and supportive. 12 Yr Girls Pre-Worlds discussion has proven correct: the Maia Troup Qualifier competition has been much tougher compared to 13 Yr Girls last year's World Championships held on home turf in Auckland. Our riders accepted this challenge and Mikayla Bearman Semis rode to the best of their ability, showing courage and team unity - they should all hold their heads very Kaly Harcourt W7 high. The emotional highs and lows witnessed and shared in the pits area were inspirational. Baylee Luttrell W4 It was great see Rebecca Petch and Mitchell Jessie Smith W2 - Silver Medal McFarlane come back from heavy crashes in their 20" to ride the cruiser class. 15 Yr Girls Competition now moves on to junior and elite racing, Amy Martin Semis with several New Zealand contenders in the mix. 16 Yr Girls Cruiser Class Results, BMX World Champs Day 3: Zoe Fleming Semis 13-14 Yr Boys Rebecca Petch W8 (unlucky to crash) Mitchell McFarlane 1/8ths Ryan Jordan 6th in 1/4s Calien Calkin 8th in 1/4s

17-24 Yr Men

Joshua Jordan Semis

25-29 Yr Men

Adam Coker W1 - Gold Medal

30-34 Yr Men

Mike Reader Semis

40-44 Yr Men

Dion Earnest 1/8s

45+ Yr Men

Paul Luttrell W7 Scott Hazelwood W2 - Silver Medal

16 & Under Women

The final day of challenge class competition saw the Rebecca Petch Semis cruiser classes battle it out, with New Zealand earning Jessica Smith W4 a gold and a silver medal. 30+ Women Report from Sue Walker, Challenge Classes Team Manager: Jeanette Davies W4

3

“We had prepared well and I was proud of all the team,” said Hollands. “But the small track provided some very gladiatorial and combative action. It was just that and our guys were on the wrong side of that and on another day things may have gone our way.

“Sarah was the highlight for us,” he said of the stand- out New Zealand performer at the event, which attracted riders from 43 nations. Championship Classes “It was a good result in a high quality final won by the New Zealand suffered frustration at the Ahoy Arena in Olympic champion. The elite men had looked Rotterdam as Sarah Walker placed fifth in the elite excellent in the motos but were just unfortunate women's race and the top Kiwi men’s hopes crashed victims through no fault of their own when other riders out on a dramatic final day at the UCI BMX World crashed into them.” Championships. Walker, a five-time former world medallist, was a little On an extremely tight circuit, the finals session was slow out of the start gate in the final, although the 26- characterised by a litany of spills and mishaps with year-old Cambridge-based rider managed to haul the leading New Zealand riders bearing the brunt of herself up to fifth. the misfortune. The race win went to Mariana Pajon of Colombia, The day's action was frankly described by New who regained the women's elite world title she last Zealand team manager and medic Mark Hollands as won in 2011, from Alise Post (USA) with home rider and “carnage” and “like a war zone” as he witnessed a Walker's good friend Laura Smulders earning bronze range of injuries from a collapsed lung to a for the Netherlands. dislocated shoulder. Walker had earlier revealed her typical fighting qualities to battle through both the quarterfinal and semi-final in fourth place.

In her quarterfinal heat Walker was far from her fluent best, but a late pass saw her grab the final qualifying spot by a little over a 0.10s from Russia's Natalia Suvorova.

Meanwhile in a loaded semi-final, which contained Pajon and Australia's 2013 world champion Caroline Buchanan, Walker again kept her nerve to eliminate Buchanan by one place.

There was disappointment for the three-strong Kiwi contingent in the men's elite race as the trio all 4 suffered heartbreaking crashes to bring a premature end to their World Championship quest.

The 2013 world silver medallist Marc Willers had looked majestic winning two of his three races in the motos earlier in the day and many tipped the Cambridge rider for a potential medal in Rotterdam.

However, the unpredictable and precarious nature of BMX racing was amply illustrated as the 28-year- old crashed out in the eighth finals after colliding with French Rider Sylvain Andre. He sustained various cuts and abrasions and an injured a thigh in the tumble.

World No.6 junior Hannah Sarten (Cambridge) missed out on a place in the final after finishing sixth in her semi-final in the women's event. Sarten, 18, had earlier finished fourth in her group to qualify, but struggled to keep pace with her rivals in the penultimate stanza.

The four-strong Kiwi contingent failed to progress

beyond the quarterfinals in the men's elite junior race. Kurt Pickard (Tauranga) also suffered the same fate in the eighth final. Pickard, who had topped his group Codi Merito (Te Awamutu) placed fifth in the eighth with two wins in the motos earlier in the day, made a and final heat and did not advance. Meanwhile, slick start from the gate but approaching the first Todd Barry (Te Awamutu) suffered a spectacular berm he was caught in a bottleneck of riders and crash in his eighth final, cart-wheeling over the took a nasty fall. He suffered a damaged right wrist barriers in a three-man pile up to exit the and right shoulder with multiple cuts and bruises. competition. He was thankfully uninjured in the spill.

To add to New Zealand's woes, the third Kiwi men's Liam Perry (Kapiti) did not advance from the motos elite rider Trent Jones was treated in hospital after after finishing fifth in his group. Caleb Martin sustaining a collapsed lung in a serious crash in the (Christchurch) dislocated a shoulder in warm up and motos. did not start in the motos.

In their absence, the men's elite title was regained by Australia's Sam Willoughby. Adam Coker-Double World (Back to back World Champion)

My world's campaign kicked off a little earlier than some, setting off from New Zealand ten days before competition was due to start. Previous experience has taught me that I generally don't travel too well when going that far. I struggle to sleep on a plane, and jet lag has hit me pretty hard in the past. Arriving over a week before official practice started, and heading straight to Rotterdam, gave me plenty of time to get over the jet lag and get comfortable with my new surroundings.

5 It wasn't all plain sailing though. While I made it It’s always tough turning up at worlds and not to the Netherlands without any problems, one of really knowing all the competition, or where my bags didn't, and had only made it as far as anyone else is at. So despite having the number Melbourne! It somehow took the airline another ‘1’ on the front of my bike as defending five days to get it to me. Fortunately I was able champion, I was still pretty anxious to just get on to get by without it, without too many problems. the gate and get the first race out of the way. The biggest annoyance being no tools and a Everything went to plan and I got that all few missing parts to get the bikes going. A huge important, nerve settling, win in the first moto. I thank you to the bmx24seven shop for helping managed to follow that up with two more wins get me sorted and up and running before my in the second and third motos to put me in the bag arrived. best possible position heading into the quarters. This also gave me first pick of lane, which was The final part of my build-up basically just crucial on such a short first straight which left consisted of a few road rides to get the legs anyone on the outside with a big task to get moving and riding a few tracks around the across to the inside before the first corner. Netherlands and also next year's world's track down at Zolder in Belgium. Thanks must go to the I got a bit of a fright in the quarter final with one Bearmans and Davies for sorting out the training of the Brazilians having a blinder down the first sessions at a couple of those tracks. straight and getting the edge on me, luckily I was coming out of lane one and managed to Practice day rolled around, the track was sneak up the inside into the first corner. Being looking good, and I was ready to go. It was out front was definitely the place to be, much like last year’s track in Vector Arena – not especially in this race with half the field going much pedalling before the first corner, tight, down at the start of the second straight, taking and short. It seemed to work out for me last out last year’s runner up in the process. Certainly year, so I wasn’t complaining! We were grouped not the way you want to see the competition with all the South Americans and a few bow out, but an unfortunate reality of our sport I European countries for practice, which resulted guess. Another win, and keeping that all in chaos to say the least. After 75 minutes I’d important first pick of lane heading into the gotten a grand total of three laps round the semis. track. Fortunately the track wasn’t hugely technical and I was already feeling reasonably Semi final time and I managed to nail my gate comfortable on it. and get the all-important holeshot. In the same race was fellow Kiwi, Jason Kelly, who was The second practice day was actually on the starting out a bit wider after being stitched up in same day as all the racing for anyone 17 and his first moto and going down leaving him with a over riding 20”. I considered skipping the second lower lane pick at the start of the knockout practice session to save the legs for racing that rounds, and having to work his way across evening, but in the end decided I would ride it. towards the inside. I could hear someone right This time making sure I was at the front of the on my tail the whole lap, and after crossing the queue when the gates opened for our session, finish line and turning around to have a look, to try and get a few more laps than the previous sure enough it was Jas right there, two kiwis in day – I got four laps this time! the final.

It was then back to the apartment to get some With the pressure of the knock out rounds now food into me and put the feet up for a few hours behind us, I just had to focus on doing what I before heading back to the track for racing. I had been doing all night for one more lap. The wasn’t quite sure how to feel, there were a turnaround time from the semi to the final was couple of things that were letting some doubt pretty quick, but I was feeling good both creep into my mind, but also a couple of things physically and mentally, and was ready to get that I knew I had on my side. I just knew I had to out there and do it again. block out any of the negatives, and focus on the positives and what I had to do.

6 Locked and loaded in the gate for the final and Cruiser title too. After coming so close to getting it was all or nothing. The gate dropped and I got the double last year in Auckland, I was another great gate. I was bar to bar with the determined to do everything within my control Frenchman who was in lane two, with Jas right to not let the same thing happen again as 12 next to him coming out of three. Again the months ago. I got off to a perfect start taking inside lane was crucial and I managed to take three wins in my motos to set myself up nicely for the lead jumping into the first turn, with Jas the knockout rounds. jumping around the Frenchman to slot into second place. I knew from here if I rode a Being in one of the smaller classes of the whole clean, mistake free lap, the title would be mine meeting meant it was straight into semi finals. again, given the lack of passing opportunities After one of those long random gate pauses on the short, tight track. I managed to do just that everyone hates, I missed the gate a little bit that and take the win – back to back World but managed to recover enough to take the Champ! Jas was right on my tail again and lead into the first corner. Another solid lap and it managed to hold off the rest of the pack to was finals time again. make it a NZ one-two – can’t really get much After a long session and four more races in the better than that! legs I was starting to feel it a little, but knew I just had to hold it together for one more lap. Going through unbeaten meant first pick of lanes in the final and I of course went straight for the inside. A much better gate this time and I was there or thereabouts down the first straight. Once again the inside lane proved invaluable and I came out of the first corner in the lead with a clear track in front of me. A bit of a battle developed for second place, which gave me a bit of breathing space and meant I was able to run away with it, and take the win – job done!

One advantage of being in the first session of racing was a day off between 20” and Cruiser. It was good to have the day to relax, go for a bit of a ride and familiarise myself with the Cruiser again.

It was an early start to Cruiser day with practice kicking off at 7.30 in the morning. I wasn’t in too much of a hurry to join the stampede in the pits to get some practice, and when I did I definitely backed the wrong lane, waiting a good hour to get one lap! I wasn’t worried, I was feeling OK To say I was ecstatic to get the double is an and knew it would only get better as the day understatement. But there was also a sense of went on. relief in there as well. This had been the goal for the best part of the last 12 months and I I was a little more relaxed heading into the wouldn’t have been satisfied with anything less. motos with 20” now behind me, and obviously So to pull it off in this sport of ours, which can be being in some pretty good form. I knew if I rode to my potential I would be in with a shot at the 7 so unpredictable and cruel at times, was also impressed with the girls, they were all fast & skilled in extremely satisfying. all the age groups. Equally impressive was the riding from all the Kiwis & Aussies in Rotterdam...Europe & A huge thank you to all the NZ team South America certainly sat up & noticed. Jake & management and staff out in the pits – you guys Dion had a bit of bad luck this year, with both going were amazing! And also to everyone who was in out in 1/8th finals. & Sacha, yeah she was INCREDIBLE. the crowd making plenty of noise. It’s always It was awesome for her to win at home last year, but becoming World Champ again this year was even nice to get a good cheer when your name gets sweeter. called out on the gate! Finally, congratulations to all the other kiwi winners, finalists and With the business side of the holiday done, it was off competitors – just to travel that far and to the Alps to go mountain biking (with a bit of compete on the world stage in one of the sightseeing thrown in too) for the next 12 days. We toughest areas for our sport is no mean feat, based ourselves in a chalet in Morzine & rode bikes and something to be proud of. down some pretty massive mountains in the French, Swiss & Italian Alps.

The last few days were spent in Paris with a day in Disneyland too.

Back to reality, & back to planning for the next adventure! Watch this space...

You can view pics & read more of our holiday on the blog we wrote for Jake & Sacha's school at: http://www.teamxoxobmxracing.blogspot.co.nz

Cheers,

Dion, Anna, Jake & Sacha @teamxoxoridesbmxsometimes

Back to back World Champion - Aged

8 - Sacha Earnest This just in- Planning for Europe started not long after both Jake & Sacha did extremely well at the 2013 World Champs. So after a season of racing & training for Jake & Sacha, a last-minute wildcard entry for Dion & Anna taking on the team manager/trainer/road trip advisor role, we took to the skies on 13th July 2014 packed with 156kg of luggage (which included 6 bikes) to Paris. From Paris, we picked up our van & headed straight for London where we visited friends, saw the sights & even managed to fit in a private session at Lee Valley BMX track which hosted the 2012 London Olympics BMX event.

From there, we headed back to Europe staying on the coast of Belgium & riding with the Ostend BMX club. Great club, good riding.

Then there was Rotterdam... It was a pretty intense week at the World Champs & the level of competition was unreal right from motos. Especially 8

This article featured recently in the Howick and Pakuranga times. Huge congratulations to Sasha on PETER DRURY/Fairfax NZ her efforts!! TOP DOG: Leila Walker is a back-to-back BMX world champion. 

While Sarah Walker was finishing fifth at the BMX World Championships in Rotterdam last month, the other Walker, Leila, was celebrating back-to-back world titles.

No relation to her older namesake, Leila Walker won the 9-year-old girls class at the world championships

in Holland.

The Hautapu School student left the final field in her dust. http://www.times.co.nz/sports-news/come-from-behind- Walker got out of the gate first, rounded the first victory.html corner in front and then built her lead until the moment she pulled a wheelie crossing the finish line.

As her father Lyle put it, daylight finished second, and Double World Champion - Aged 9 - then seconds later the rest of the field crossed the finish line. Not a bad way to win a second world title. Leila Walker (Waikato Times) "Winning at home's nice, but the reality of it is there's This article featured recently in the Waikato Times. a big wide world out there, and a lot of riders didn't Huge congratulations to Leila on her efforts make that trip to New Zealand," Lyle Walker said.

"So that's why we thought we'd go and see if it really is what it is, if she can go to the other side of the world and win."

Win she did, destroying the field and making it clear she is the best girl of her age on the planet.

The victory makes it 11 events races and zero losses on the track for Walker in 2 1/2 years of racing, including her two world championship successes.

After the event, there was even time to check out next year's host venue in Belgium, riding on the track to get a feel before a possible return in 2015.

9 On her return to New Zealand last week, Walker was Very thankful that we were able to experience a greeted at Hautapu School with another medal world champs at home before taking on a European ceremony, this time run and organised by her peers. event. The amount of riders and the amount of fast riders was an eye opener and just to know how the The school watched the race in which Walker won event runs and the pressures we would all feel made gold, got her up on the podium, sang the national this able to be prepared and practiced for. anthem and presented her with a medal.

A Hautapu School News reporter then interviewed Walker on stage, asking her about the trip to Holland.

You could tell Walker was not too fussed about standing up in front of the whole school, but father Lyle said it was great that her fellow students could enjoy her success.

"You could tell she was a little embarrassed to be paraded up there, but I think it's good for her and good for the school as well."

The secret to Walker's success seems clear. This served Cailen well but the occasion still effected Keegan and he was not able to show the world the Like every successful female rider in New Zealand, pace he has. I feel for his disappointment in himself ... Walker has been racing her brothers her whole life, BMX is as cruel as it is exciting. trying to beat elder brother Sam. I was standing next to a Colombian dad during the For a long time she could beat Sam, but he now has finals of the younger age groups and he simply could the edge, although it does not matter when it comes not believe the amount of kiwis in the top 8. to girls racing. The next group had plenty of representation also and a few "Sarah Walker had a younger brother, and that's Hard luck stories which are never far from any BMX what got her into it. Every top female rider has a meet. brother they've raced against, and Leila is no We could not be more proud of how Cailen different." prepared for and executed this worlds.

Sam is pretty keen to compete at the world championships next year, wanting his turn in the spotlight.

Whether anyone goes to Belgium is up in the air, with the financial burden it puts on the family.

The Walkers had support from local businesses to get to Holland this year, and would need the same to reach Belgium next year.

Walker will keep training as if she is going, and may one day take over the other Walker, Sarah, and her mantle as New Zealand's top BMX rider.

- Waikato Times

Double world Champion Cailen Calkin

(Words just in from Joe Calkin)

Just back from our amazing trip through Europe that included of course the 2014 worlds. What a blast!!

10 Also huge congratulations to Rico Bearman

with 4 World Championships by age 11

Double world Champion Ryan Martin - Riding for Great Britain!! BMXNZ congratulates you !!

11 Baleigh Rees - My Story and that stolen bike

My trip to Rotterdam for the BMX worlds started off a After an offer from my girlfriends mum Jodie Martin to little bumpy after 26 hours of traveling I arrived in buy a new bike and put it on her credit card so we Rotterdam, I unpacked my bike and put it together. could sort it out after worlds when we got home. With Soon after me and dad got to our hotel, we realized the help from the guys at bmx24seven I was able to the wall plugs were different so we went down town get a bike built for me in 6 hours, which is pretty much to get some adapters at the same time we hired dad the same as my old one. I was able to do all the a hire bike after this we went to Mc Donald's .We worlds practices due to the bike being built so fast. locked the bikes up to a lamp post walked into Mc Donald's ordered some food then went and sat by the window so we could keep an eye on the bikes The day before I raced I saw Caroline Buchanan's and my bike was gone. Dads hire bike was still there, picture of my stolen bike on Facebook. Her and Barry the person who stole my bike had picked the lock. Nobles had brought it off a guy riding it down the We talked to some people who were sitting outside streets of Rotterdam for 220 Euros this was a major nearby shops and they said it happened so fast that surprise for dad and I. We quickly sorted out picking they thought it was just dad. We then rung the police up the bike. and went down to the police station and spent a couple of hours there filling out a police report for the stolen bike. There was nothing we could do from this point so we went back to the hotel and started ringing around trying to sort out a bike for me to ride. The next couple of days were pretty boring because I didn’t have a bike to ride so couldn’t go to any tracks to train.

I went on to race the next day on my new bike because I hadn’t had any track time on my old one, I came 1st in my first 3 motos , 2nd in my 1/8ths finals and then crashed in my ¼ final while coming 3rd, so was unable to make it to the final and get the result I was looking for. . However I enjoyed the atmosphere at Ahoy, the track was so sick it was supper hard packed and smooth, it was the first time I have Soon after the word got out that my bike was stolen I racing on brick corners I found them to be really fast had heaps of offers from people wanting to give me and grippy. a bike to ride. I even had people from NZ willing to send their bikes over to Rotterdam for me but it wouldn’t of been likely their bike would get to me in time to practice and race on. Also if I borrowed a bike there was going to be the problem with having the same practice times then we would have to have turns on the bike and I would feel supper stink if I crashed on someone’s bike.

The next issue we had was getting two bikes back to NZ we had to look around for another bike box we

12 were able to get one off the guys at bmx24seven. following until lunchtime with the team having gelled Lucky for us Dad and I both had 30 kgs of luggage on together nicely. Activities kept the afternoons busy the plane so the extra weight was not a problem. including visiting the Featherdale Wildlife Park. This None of this could of been possible if not for the was an awesome experience with the team able to support from everyone in NZ and the help from my have photos with koalas, kangaroos & wallabies & sponsors, Tiger building contractors, Bike Barn, Bike could get close to view the many other animals/birds Medic, Stitcher’s and Moto mayhem. My old bike is etc in the park. We went Go Kart racing, bounced now for sale due to the fact that I need to pay off the our way round Flip Out (a large trampoline arena). new one now that I won’t get insurance, please feel This was an awesome activity & my favourite! We also free to message me on Facebook for details. went to laser skirmisk (laser strike). The weather cut our practice session short Thursday but gave the team plenty of time exercising their vocal chords, MIGHTY 11s singing the National Anthem and practicing the Haka. Showers predicted for our last training session Mighty 11 Test Team Trip 30 May 2014 – 9 June 2014 Friday came to fruition & we were very fortunate to get a partial session in. Following training, we Team Selected Nationals 2014 (in order 1-4) ventured to Burragorang Valley & enjoyed a team Boys Girls BBQ lunch then had our team photos taken. Tasman Wakelin Shakira Mirfin Jack Keown Tia Hastings-Thurgood The Test Team Dinner was held Friday night 6th June at Guy Johnston Mia Tuigamala Ingleburn RSL just prior to race day. MC for the night Austin Lupton Niamh Masson was Luke Madill – very exciting! Our team captains, Tasman & Shakira read out their fantastic speeches, Leading up to our trip, we had two training sessions in supported by their team members – a very proud Hamilton. Sessions went well with all riders moment for us all. The riders received their test team understanding & responding to Clive’s training race shirts, number plates and exchanged gifts with regime. Clive also invited Paul Luttrell & Matt their opponents. Cameron to assist with training (thanks guys!). The Hamilton Club were very accommodating. We had a NZ was well represented with an additional 14 riders team/parents/siblings BBQ at the track on May 17th participating in the Pre State Titles, only 2 being which was a great opportunity for us all to get to Mighty’s siblings. It was an excellent opportunity for know each other. Tasman & Shakira flew up from additional racing building up for World Champs. Nelson & Invercargill respectively for both training sessions & Jack flew up from Christchurch for the Race day…. Saturday, the weather turned it on, felt second session (following recuperation from the like summer. The teams raced two tests and four removal of his appendix). Mighty 11 class motos. Test points after day 1- Girls - Australia 41, New Zealand 37, Boys - Australia 51 New After a great flight over on Friday May 30th, the team Zealand 27. The Mighty 11 class had 2 Kiwi's in the top assembled bikes and had a light ride round the 3 with Bennett Greenough sitting in second place Macarthur track. A busy track, with 5 tar sealed and Shakira Mirfin in third. The team headed back to berms and 6 straights. They immediately started to try their billets for a good night’s sleep ready for some out their skills with plenty of air happening. The great racing Sunday. Mightys then settled in with their billet families. Saturday afternoon saw Tasman, Jack, Guy, Austin, Race day 2…. Shakira, Tia, Mia and Niamh race MacArthur's club Having raced 3 more tests and two Mighty class day with 204 other riders of varying ages. They rode in motos the overall results were: the 13-15 mixed division and had a great time. Guy Mighty 11 Boys Mighty dominated his races, he was on fire! Sunday headed 11 Girls to Liverpool for their club day where 75 riders raced 6 NZ 65 NZ races. 88 Aus 130 Aus Monday was a day off the bikes. The team caught 107 the train into the Sydney for the day. Checked out the Opera House and surrounding area and even tried to play a didgeridoo! Girls had a wee look at Mighty 11 Class – NZ Riders the shops and boys found a couple of bike shops to Final look around then walked to Darling Harbour. Our time 2nd Tasman Wakelin in the city went quickly. Full on training at Macarthur 3rd Bennett Greenough commenced Tuesday morning and every morning

13 Semis Guy Johnston

Shakira Mirfin Tia Hastings-Thurgood Austin Lupton

Top Mighty 11 Girl – Shakira Mirfin Our 4 girls all brought home trophies for the top 4 girls results in the Mighty 11 Class.

The Aussie boys team was keen for revenge after their thrashing last year & were too strong for our boys. Race results were mixed but this time we were out classed. After Saturday’s racing the girls’ points were close. Shakira had a crash in the first test on Sunday (she broke her neckbrace) but bounced back however the Aussie girls gained some valuable points and retained the trophy.

We spent 10 nights at Macarthur. All families were great hosting families and we were all very well looked after. We will always remember our time there. MATT CAMERON – ELITE RIDER-LAST USA RACES Clive and I were very proud of how the team conducted themselves together with the positive approach from parents and siblings. We were very Towards the tail end of my overseas racing trip of ABA spoilt with the assistance the parents provided us with racing and a world cup in Germany, I jumped on the shopping for food, food preparation & bike mechanics. As always Elaine did a great job road with fellow kiwi riders Ryan Lewis, Donald Ross organising the airline tickets. Our arrangements, and the whole Fox family. I flew in to Chicago and check in, flights etc went without a hitch. met up with them in Rockford at the ABA pro round. It We look forward to the next trials in September and was defiantly good to see some kiwis on the road to our next Test Team Challenge where we plan to instigate our revenge! and some more New Zealand riders chasing the BMX

dream aboard. Post Berlin World Cup due to crashing

Sharon Cheesman I incurred a few niggles and injuries making racing Mighty 11 Test Team Manager Rockford very fun in the pain department but none

the less got through racing ending my days at semi

finals.

14

We then got on the road and headed though downtown Chicago and checked out some sights and hired some bikes to get us around the city and defiantly made for some of the funniest times with stair drops, near crashes and tandem bike fun.

Hurunui BMX Track Proposal

There is widespread support for a BMX racing track to be built in North Canterbury, but there are a few hurdles to jump before the project gets the greenlight. It’s the brainchild of mum of two Julia McLean who is proposing to start by building an entry level competition track on soon to be vacant land in

the Hurunui District township of Amberley. The long term goal is for the track to be used to host regional After jumping behind the wheel and driving 10 hours and national racing events. Businesses in the Hurunui District have confirmed they to south park, Pittsburgh (Dave still wasn’t use to the will contribute their time, expertise, equipment, and whole driving on the wrong side of the road part materials to the build and Julia McLean has sought support from the 13 schools in the district along with haha) we finally made it and checked out the track parents. “The support from a small group of local and the mall. Race day came and I bowed out once people has been phenomenal. They see the benefits this sport can bring to the district”. The bulk of this again in semis and one to forget. Race day 2, I track will be built by local contractors but they are managed to pull through to the main but after 3 unable to fund it all so a major fundraising drive will begin as soon as land is granted. mains I ended in 8th. The trip was definitely one I will never forget with endless laughs, new adventures, interesting conversations, roll away beds, watching the effects of early morning racing on 18 year olds, and a good way to end my overseas racing before I headed back home to New Zealand. Next up, Chula

Vista World Cup Supercross in September!

Children at Amberley School have helped with the BMX track proposal and daughter Delia is along for the ride

15 Members of the Rangiora BMX Club are working Well that was basically it , the trickiest thing they closely with Julia and have helped to bring track reckon was keeping all the above steps going builder, Tony Takarua into the project. Julia says she’s together so that the watering doesn't get to far learnt quickly how crucial it is to have good design to ahead of the lime and the lime ahead of the rolling mitigate future maintenance costs and allow for etc etc the thing that slows the process the most is ongoing development.” the watering especially with the fairly pitiful pressure If the track gets the go ahead, The Hurunui BMX Club we have in Hamilton, we use 6mm race fines with 5- will be formed with the ultimate aim of getting more 10% oxide through MacDonald's lime delivered by kids on bikes. The sport is accessible to the majority as Regal Transport. all a young person needs is a helmet, bike and sheer determination. Julia McLean says “BMX racing is very much underrepresented in the South Island which means riders travel far and wide to access decent FROM BMXNZ tracks to train on. It’s the difference between a rider being able to take the sport seriously and doing it for fun.” Licensing Julia McLean wishes to thank Stan Hauraki Tumu and The new season is fast approaching and I have had BMX NZ and for their support. a few queries about licensing for the remainder of this

year. TRACK LIMING - JOE CAILKIN Council have approved a discount to the challenge LIMING BMX TRACKS licence from $70 to $45, valid from 1/9/2014 to 31/12/2014 The other night I was talking to some of the older hands about working bees and in particular the job The cost of an upgrade from club to challenge has of liming, I'm new to this sport and while I've been also been reduced for this period from $45 down to down to working bees and thrown some lime around $30 I wanted know how exactly it's supposed to be done, these guys told me of course so I thought it would be Club and Sprocket licence fees remain fixed at $25 a good idea to write it down as there may be other and $45 respectively. new dads who come down and it may help to not Kind Regards feel like a spare part. Heather So the process goes like this: 1. Sweep off the old loose lime and get back to Heather McCann something solid Executive Officer Assistant 2. Rough up the clay on a diagonal angle as much as you can to give the new lime to key to (if the track is to hard this can be impossible)

3. Wet the surface down apparently get the clay sticky but not sloppy mud.

4. Then spread the new lime up to 50mm thick wetting it as you go and this is where it gets tricky, the amount of water , it's supposed to be wet right through using rake to work it in (and check the depth of the lime) but not so wet that it runs off the jumps.

5. Then the 4 wheeler rolls it with water as required to keep the consistency.

6. Screed off the jumps with a wide float to remove wheel pack marks shape as you like it.

7. Place in warm oven for two days and it's a rock hard pavlova that will last all season.

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As we are coming closer to the new season there are a few changes, reminders and deadlines for you to be aware of. All Members, Clubs and Regions

Nominated Qualifying Meetings - NQMs If you are aiming to ride at the BMX New Zealand National Championships in April, you will need to compete at 4 NQM meetings in 20’ or cruiser. If you wish to ride in two classes at the National Championships, 20” and cruiser; you will need to complete 4 NQMs on each bike type. NQM meetings are marked on the BMX NZ Calendar so plan ahead to be ready for Nationals 2015.

National Championships and the National Series Due to changes to the National Championship format covered at the AGM, the seeding for the 2015 National Championships will be based on the rider’s position in the BMX NZ National Series after 9 rounds. Riders can view details of the National Series by clicking the link below.

Link: BMX NZ National Series

2015 BMX New Zealand National Championship Format At the 2014 AGM clubs and regions agreed to a proposed amendment to the National Championship format. The new format will be as follows:-

Prize giving - There will be no separate off site prize giving held. All presentations will be held either at the opening ceremony or following racing on the respective days the classes are competing.

Friday - Practice on Friday; there will be a single practice for rider groups in the morning - The Mighty 11 trialists will have their selection runs between these practices - The Opening Ceremony will be held midday and will include a presentation of major awards - Racing for Cruiser classes will be held in the afternoon followed by a trackside prize giving

Saturday - Racing for Challenge classes UCI 5 and under to UCI 10 on 20” - Prize giving for these classes will be held trackside at the conclusion of racing

Sunday - Racing for Challenge classes UCI 11 and over on 20” - Prize giving for these classes will be held trackside at the conclusion of racing

UCI Elite / Superclass - These will be scheduled over the weekend of racing

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Dalliston Corporate Team Trophy A brief reminder to all team managers that entry to the Dalliston Series closes on 12 September 2014. Please return your team details to [email protected] by 5 pm on this day. Details, rules and team entry form can be found by clicking the link below:-

Link:- Dalliston Series Entry

Dalliston Rules

Licences 2014 Rider licensing is now open for challenge licences for the remainder of 2014, September to December - please contact your club licensing representative to get your licence and start collecting NQM meets and your National Series points before Christmas. Sprocket and Club licences are also available at the standard price.

Mighty 11 and Senior Test Team Trials These are held at the Pre Norths, Sunset Coast BMX track, Puni on Sunday 28 September. Entries close for selection Friday 5 September 2014. Please click the link below for the entry form and flyer:-

Link here; Mighty 11 and Test Team Selection

Looking forward to a great season of racing!

Norm McCann

Executive Officer BMX New Zealand Inc PO Box 12 199 Ph 021 270 7199 [email protected]

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Next Newsletter is due out 20 DECEMBER 2014 - send stories to [email protected] by 1 DECEMBER 2014

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