While the onset of rain kept the track technical and made riders nervous all night long, Cody Cooper and Scott Columb raced away to round wins at Tokoroa at the third Round of the New Zealand SX Nationals.

After an amazing opening 2 rounds between Ben Townley and Cody Cooper, the night began in dramatic fashion as Townley and Cooper duked it out in the Superpole for top qualifying honours. Townely came out the victor but the two of them set the stage for the nights racing.

The format for the night was 3 back to back races, where fitness and good starts were vital for success... Race 1 and it was Townely out to an early lead with Cooper in tow and while the two battled for the lead, Townley began to pull away. However with 2 laps to go Townley went down hard and took a while to regain his composure and start again but there was not enough time in the race for him to catch up. The win went to Cooper, followed By Mason Philips and Justin McDonald. Townley could only manage 9th place.

Race 2 was much the same with Cooper and Townley at the front of the pack followed closely by Philips. Cooper would go down, and finish third handing second to Philips with Townley taking the win.

Race 3 saw all 3 get a bad start but with a matter of corners they were making their way to the front. Townley made his way to the front and took control of the lead, while Cooper tired to hunt him down but was unsuccessful. Philips began to move in on Cooper but could not pass him.

The overall going to Cooper, followed by Phillips and then Townley.

The Superpole final for the SX Lites had the entire crowd on its feet as Brad Groombridge and Scott Columb bumped handlebars and traded plastic, all before the mains had begun.

As the SX Lites blasted out the gate, it was Mason Philips, who was riding two classes leading the way, taking the first moto win in an epic battle with Scott Columb, with Philips only winning but .7 of a second. These two riders where at another to the rest of the field and it was full 9 seconds back to third place Brad Groombridge.

The second race was much a repeat of the first but with Columb taking the win by half a second over Philips. Philips tried repeatedly to pass but was unable to make anything happen. Groombridge was once again third just ahead of Jesse Wiki.

The rain really began to fall as the third race began and Phillips and Columb went hammer and tong for the overall. 6 short laps later and Columb took the chequered flag extending his lead over Philips by another 3 points. Groombridge was third again and needs to find a second a lap to be competitive with the two front runners.

In the Junior classes it was the South Island duo of the McGoldrick brothers taking control of the junior classes, with Micah winning comfortably over Haki Waller and Scott Sowry in the 11- 16 85cc Class, and giving himself a healthy points advantage going into the final round. Special mention must got 11 year old Ben Broad on his outstanding fourth place, as the youngest rider out there, held his own against the older kids and rode smart for a top result.

Isaiah Mc Goldrick had his day made a lot easier when Tom Managh cashed out of the third moto while pressuring for the win and found himself finishing last, still giving him third overall for the day. Second was local Kayne Lamont, having opted out of the first two rounds of racing, was a dark horse coming into the event. While his speed wasn’t enough to win the moto or pressure for wins, consistency was hi major helper and gave him what he needed to finish second overall.

Major changes had been undertaken at the Tokoroa track, and while the weather couldn’t be helped, the changes that had been made, where all positive resulting in some of the best SX racing New Zealand has ever seen at a domestic level.

Senior open:

1. Ben Townley (Tauranga) 162 points;

2. Justin McDonald (Christchurch) 136;

3= Mason Phillips (Mount Maunganui) 135;

3= Cody Cooper (Mount Maunganui) 135

Senior lites:

1. Scott Columb (Queenstown) 165 points;

2. Mason Phillips (Mount Maunganui) 156;

3. Brad Groombridge (Taupo) 132.

Junior 250cc:

1. Isaiah McGoldrick (Rangiora) 157 points;

2. Tom Managh (Wanganui) 141;

3. Brandon Tipene (Auckland) 125.

Junior lites:

1. Micah McGoldrick (Rangiora) 172 points;

2. Haki Waller (Feilding) 151;

3. Scott Sowry (Pahiatua) 130.

Photo's: Daniel Bond

Phil Smiths Photo's Here

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