NAILING THE PEAT
T
Words: Donelle Steer / Photos: David Watkin
he 126 riders representing 26 schools started
the day feeling bright and bubbly as the sun
shone down on them and the track for what
felt like the first time in weeks – the weather
switch had been flipped! Both supporters
and racers were happy when they turned
up as the sun rose to view a dry track. As the fresh
07:30am start rolled by, excitement grew as people
walked the track to see what was to come for the
races. After sign on was finished and the briefing
given, the practice rounds started and everyone got
a feel for what the track was really going to be like.
Once everyone was in, the first race lined up and
tension grew as they started still on the line. With
bodies almost completely flat on their handlebars,
racers shot off once the bungee was released, not
to be slowed down until a flag was waved. From
that point there was almost nothing but noise
filling the open air on the Patetonga peat runoff
owned by the Spreeuwenberg family, who not
only lent their land, but also dropped fences and
put in a bridge for the riders and spectators.
As the day went on and the racers tore up
the track, riding proved to become more and
more difficult as more obstacles had to be
considered. Breaking bumps grew and ruts
got deeper, adding to what a rider had to be
forever thinking about, but of course this made
the track all the more enjoyable. All-in-all the
track stayed in mint condition throughout the
day and made an awesome race for all.
At the end of each round the supporters’ class ran,
giving all the non-college ‘kids’ a chance to show
off as well. Past students of Hauraki Plains College
and long time supporters came down to race and
provided us with entertainment as they zipped
around the course pulling wheelies and roosting
one another. It’s fantastic to see the commitment
of Wairoa and Gisborne who have yet to miss an
event over the past eight years of HPC hosting.
For such an awesome day there are of course
people who need to be thanked for helping
organise the event we love to race. Amanda
Fitzpatrick had so much to organise she started
a year in advance, so we owe a huge amount to
Full results can be found the
Hauraki Plains College Moto-
cross Team Facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/
Hauraki-Plains-College-Moto-
cross-Team-208314442529799/