Saturday night saw the biggest night time race New Zealand had ever seen and it sure didn’t disappoint.

The 6th round of the Monster Energy Australian SuperX Championship was held in the Waikato Stadium, and while usually reserved for the rugby, it was a 2 wheel hot spot for the weekend, as was obvious by the 15 000 plus crowd size.

Chad Reed came, saw, and dominated, putting on a great display of racing, winning every moto he entered. He nearly didn’t have it his way as Suzuki star Matt Moss tried in vain to beat him in the 1 on 1 challenge but it was to no avail.

Second was the ever consistent Tye Simmonds, and rode consistent all night for the second spot. While he didn’t have the speed of reed, he was easily the second fastest rider on the track, and with his fantastic starts, put himself in a good position form the outset of every moto.

Third was Honda’s Dan Reardon, who battled with Michael Byrne all weekend for the final spot. Reardon didn’t have great starts but proved how well he can pass coming back through the pack very fast on more than one occasion.

While the lack of kiwi entries in MX1 was disappointing, the MX2 class was an all kiwi affair bar one gritty Australian in Digsy Anderson. Anderson was a clear favourite to win the night but his starts let him down, as the 4 x 6 lap races were not long enough for him to get back to the front of the pack. Anderson could only manage second for the night with Honda’s Michael Philips taking the win in a thrilling last race as him and Anderson battled for the win.

Third was local, Jesse Wiki, who after great starts showed he had the pace to run with the front runners, and was lucky enough to beat another Honda rider, Justin McDonald by just 1 point for the last spot on the podium.

The format for this round was well thought out as, the short races giving the kiwi riders a bit more of a chance as the starts where a lot more important.

This has to be one of the best events I’ve ever been to, and with the next day coverage on TV showcasing all the best parts of the event, this could not have come at a better time for the sport.

Top 10 results – Monster Energy Super X, round six, Waikato:

1 Chad REED (Australia, Kawasaki) 80 points (maximum)

2 Tye SIMMONDS (Australia, KTM) 72

3 Dan REARDON (Australia, Honda) 65

4 Michael BYRNE (Australia, Honda) 63

5 Daniel McCOY (Australia, KTM) 62

6 Todd WATERS (Australia, Honda) 57

7 Craig ANDERSON (Australia, Kawasaki) 55

8 Matt MOSS (Australia, Suzuki) 53

9 Cody MACKIE (Australia, Kawasaki) 53

10 Cameron TAYLOR (Australia, Suzuki) 41

Top 10 results – 250cc class, New Zealand Open:

1. Michael PHILLIPS (Rotorua, Honda) 78 points

2. Danny ANDERSON (AUS, KTM) 76

3. Jesse WIKI (Hamilton, Honda) 70

4. Justin McDONALD (Christchurch, Honda) 69

5. Peter BROXHOLME (Tauranga, Honda) 64

6. Ethan MARTENS (Waikatere, KTM) 58

7. Matt HUNT (Gisborne, Kawasaki) 56

8. Isaiah McGOLDRICK (Rangiora, KTM) 55

9. Davi FISHER (Tauranga, Suzuki) 45

10. Travis RUSSELL (Ngaruawahia, Suzuki) 44

Monster Energy Super X Open class championship standings after six of seven rounds:

1 Chad REED, Kawasaki, 132

2 Dan REARDON, Honda, 118

3 Jay MARMONT, Yamaha, 114

4 Tye SIMMONDS, KTM, 108

5 Daniel McCOY, KTM, 94

6 Cody MACKIE, Kawasaki, 80

7 Cheyne BOYD, Yamaha, 77

8 Craig ANDERSON, Kawasaki, 69

9 Cameron TAYLOR, Suzuki, 67

10. Troy CARROLL, Kawasaki, 66

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