UNLIMITED CLASS THUNDER UNLEASHED AT WEST MELTON THIS WEEKEND
Wednesday 13 June 2018, 8:15AM
By Mark Baker
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The focus of the 2018 ORANZ New Zealand Offroad Racing Championship shifts to West Melton near Christchurch this weekend as racers take on the second southern round of the championship.
Already the spectacular unlimited-class race cars are gathering in force, with the class one field the strongest in the event so far.
Eight cars are currently entered with the prospect of another two before the weekend.
Leading southern entries include Donald Preston of Southland and Greg Winn of Nelson, local driver Geoff Densem, Jacob Brownlees and Josh Rutledge.
They will go up against northern racers, Jardyne Lammers of Whangarei and Tauranga’s Trevor Cooper in a massive American Jimco two seater with Chev power. John Morgan of Auckland won the opening round at Nelson outright in his two seater Desert Dynamics Chev and has opted to race in the south this year, as has former national champion Mike Fraser.
Only two drivers at this round scored perfect results from the opening round: Morgan and Crabb Caring Kiwitruck youth racer Jack Brownlees. The hold a full 72 points for winning their classes.
For 4WD Bits unlimited class 8 truck leader Bryan Chang the task is simplified. There are four trucks in total entered in class 8 for this round; of that four only his GT Radial Tires Chev scored points at the opening round.
Held over two days starting on Saturday the 16th June, the Mainland Challenge is the second chance of three for southern championship aspirants to build their points score for 2018 class and overall titles.
The first day challenges racers with heats on the club's West Melton track. In between Saturday's championship heats the Canterbury ATV Club will run races.
Day two sees competitors racing on an endurance course that includes the extended short course track and adjacent forest.
The club is also offering spectators a chance to get in on the action with every paid gate entry on Saturday going into the draw to win a ride in one of the competing vehicles.
Date: SAT 16th June and SUN 17th June 2018
Gates open to the public: 9:30 am
Location: Weedons Ross Road West Melton Christchurch
Price: $10 per adult, 15 & under FREE (gate sales cash only)
Food and refreshments available onsite - Eftpos available
Class 1
Geoff Densem 177
Trevor Cooper 189
Mike Fraser 180
Jacob Brownlees 133
Kevin Nankivell 116
Josh Rutledge 175
John Morgan 150
Greg Winn 190
4WD Bits Class 2
Ron Crosby 250
Class 3
Joel Green 379
Brendon Midgley 324
Nigel Sutherland 301
Phil Howlett 371
Braden Hill 353
Grant Adamson 375
4WD Bits Class 4
Darrin Thomason 444
Class 5
Daniel Rusbatch 553
4WD Bits Class 8
Blair Prebble 852
Ricky Lane 842
Graham Fleming 822
Bryan Chang 847
Class C
Andrew Knight C69
Jorja Storer C24
Brooke Storer C42
Ian Simcox C73
John Strickett C22
Chris Devereux C38
Sam Jury C16
JG Civil UTV Class U
Rosco Gaudin U69
Cameron Reeves U25
Jason Seaward U25
JG Civil UTV Class S
Slim Slee S12
Ian Cowan S32
Hamish McFedries S30
Andrew McFedries S31
Brent McDonald S55
Gavin Storer S84
James Fleming S36
Crabb Racing Kiwitruck Class J
Jack Brownlees J23
Kadin Thomasen J97
Kelan Keith J26