never giving up on the junior part of the series
and with the help of James Fowley, the Junior
One Hour Cross Country series was born.
Jason Blenkhorn was killed in a freak
motorcycle accident in late 1997 and this
fostered camaraderie within XC ranks that saw
major growth and profile for the Bel-Ray. As
the 1998 series commenced, the numbers for
both junior and seniors swelled and the series
became possibly the biggest and best in NZ.
SUCCESS THROUGH FAMILY INVOLVEMENT
When I look back at why the Bel-Ray series
has been successful, the element above all is
family involvement, which remains true to this
day. The Bel-Ray has fostered fantastic family
involvement and together with a club willing
to put together good tracks for all levels and
a very good sponsor it will continue to run for
many more years to come.
Most will recognise the many families
involved over the years and note their
offspring all appear to rise through the ranks
over time. In no particular order these have
included the Riddels, Speedys, Carlyons,
Carlsons, Neilds, Prumms, Stones, Ramseys,
Suttons, Goodwrights, Givens, Foxs, Russels,
Sattrups, Lempreires, Fowlies, Eyres, Fullers,
Smiths, Dickies, Kerrs, McGoverns, Hintzs,
Morgans, Greenslades, Freers, Slaters, Barrs,
Berridges, Vinnings, Starks, Moorfields, Perrys,
Bateups, along with Jimmy McNeill and Sandra
Healey. Please accept my apologies if any
names/families have been forgotten.
INTERNATIONAL RIDERS
Such was the reputation of the Bel-Ray it was
always a must for any visiting International
KIWI RIDER 37