Incy Wincy Spider

The minis and juniors got the worst of it with Day 1 being called off after 3 hours of heavy rain – we’ve seen what damage can be done at Woodville so it was a good call on behalf of the organisers, making the intensity and andrenaline build up for yet another day before racing began on the Saturday.

Little Tikes On Big Bikes

Nearly every mini and junior class had riders we were supporting, interested to see how they would get on and some showing some top results. Brodie Connolly and Ryan Webley continued to have their battle with podium 1 and 2 finishes consecutively followed up by Bailey Hardwidge for 3rd in the 7-8 65 cc class.
We caught up with Hadleigh Griffiths and Calvin Nicoll on the Sunday who were both competing in the massive 11-12yrs 85cc class. Hadleigh had qualified impressively only to have his bike blow up on race day, so despite the result, he knows he has the goods to carry on with for the rest of the season. This was another class where over half the riders had seen us at some time for coaching making it hard to know who to cheer for!

The Big Guns

Having the minis and juniors prime the track for the seniors, they were ready for action come Sunday morning. Broxy had vapoured his Saturday night away in the hope of clearing his congested head, hoping to stay in control of the bike and get the starts he was hoping for.
Three good starts and pacing himself he pulled out a 5th, 5th and 3rd to take 4th for the day. However when it came time for the feature race, he resulted in being 7th over the line, but 1st 250! Perhaps the egging on from the bigger 450′s motivated the fast paced feature result.
The MX1′s are proving to be a real show stopper this year with an array of talent and depth in this field. This is anyone’s game with team Honda’s Justin McDonald and Ben Townley showing they both want that podium finish with Coppins, Coops, Columb and Carter not looking like they want to give it up either.

Nothing like a Honda, sold & serviced by Brent

Located in Winton – ‘the heart of Southland” – Brent Scammell Honda is the place to get your next bike in the South.

Established in business in 1994, Brent and Maria Scammell are going from strength to strength in motorcycles sale and servicing, specialising in the off-road and farm markets.  From the tiny CRF 50 to the mighty CRF 450, Brent can sort the right bike for you. 

Maria & Brent know motorcycles extremely well, having both started out on the ever popular XR 80 all those years ago, and they would not settle for anything other than a Honda.

Brent is highly involved in motocross and trail riding, with many South Island motocross titles, and his experience is put to use helping local riders and at club events.  More recently Brent has taken up Super Motard street racing which he is also enjoying.

Got The Goods

We stock a huge selection of accessories, motocross and trailing riding clothing and casual clothing for youth and adults.  They stock only top-quality brands such as Oakley, Fox Alpine Star, Unit & Ilabb.  Colin is happy to help you out with any ordering.

Our fully qualified technicians – Derek, Nathan, Keiran & Garry – will service your Honda bike or ATV in their fully equipped, purpose-built workshop or any other brand bike required.  Lynne is more than happy to send you the account for this!

If you are every in the South please come in and see us, have a coffee and a chat…..

Contact

Phone: (03) 236 7993
Fax: (03) 236 1943
Email:  maria@brentscammellhonda.co.nz

Website: http://www.brentscammellhonda.co.nz/
325 Great North Road Winton 9720, Southland

For the Kids

My addiction found me as an impressionable 12 year old and has shown no sign of releasing its grip. Here I am eighteen years later, rubbing shoulders with eight kids the same age as I had been and watching AMA Supercross well after dark. I had seen hardly any of the races last year while in central suburbia, yet here we were out of cell phone range watching Sky TV out of a camper at the Waikaia Honda Kids Camp. Wonderful thing this technology.

I had been unable to make the camp for Friday coaching sessions, which meant we had masses of riders to guide and direct in the short time space of Saturday and Sunday mornings- certainly not ideal but enough time to keep the groups fairly small. The worst thing was my being the cause of an early morning wake up call as Greg made sure no one was going to be late to the first coaching session of the morning, and for that I can only beg forgiveness from any groggy campers.

Flying

Saturday night saw the talent quest go off as usual. Feeling the pressure to perform I piked but hopefully made up for the “Backflips” chant by setting up my horse truck style camper into an impromptu foam pit in order to help some of the young ones do the flips for me. It was well worth the T-shirts it caused me to hand out.

The Galt and Bennie families were a highlight of some past trips and this time had rung around and advertised in the local rags to help about a dozen keen locals spend some time getting coaching with us. We did a great job of tearing up one paddock and sliding around the next, with excellent results so far as learning went. That night I was shown up by a 10 year old girl on the hunting side of things, a story for a different kind of publication.

Kenji Coming Along!

Tuesday morning started at 6am and saw non-stop action until 10.30pm that night, five coaching sessions and around 4 hours of driving time made sure of that. Working with old friends such as the Suzuki brothers and new ones like Travis McKenzie and Mitchell Morris was a real treat, especially in the knowledge that the Southland Motorcycle club had put a great deal back into their up and coming juniors with a substantial subsidy to help them on their way to the nationals.

The Balclutha reserve track was again venue for its local riders to up their skills. The different groups ranged from a six year old Logan Campbell to Mr Kong who was visiting from Malaysia, keen to learn everything from berms to whips.

As keen as ever was the Oamaru crew we have been getting to know rather well, with some new riders thrown in the mix. These included Natalie and Laura Preston who eased their way into action after the boys had their turn. Like their male fore runners they improved in many ways but it was their enthusiasm that left its indelible impression as I headed north to end another full on but rewarding trip.

How We Do

The sports of Motocross and Freestyle have always been intertwined, never more so than at our week of Tokoroa Broxy Camps. Groomed and naturally watered, the MX track started and ended in pristine condition that screamed for hours of riding pleasure. It wasn’t always like that as heavy showers took their toll but even the down pouring torrents of water were not enough to stop the really keen cats.

Heads Up

Our compulsory trip to the foam pit was a mild precursor to the next two days of freestyle camp which also saw us back at the Tokoroa MX track to brush up on jumping skills. It a bit of a Godsend for the FMX Camp riders as most of them chose to hit the track and hone their basic jumping skills under the coaching of Broxy before hitting the ramps where Nick Franklin could work his magic.

Despite the fact the riders originated from Northland, Southland and everywhere in between- each person had the same intention; make the most of this epic facility. With almost all riders clearing the big hill jump at least once during their stay and over half of the riders completing backflips into the pit there was no doubt as to mission accomplished. But do you think that was enough? No way!

Two days later was Nicks Foam Pit Jam, an invite only event designed to help get some of the top motocrossers doing the same thing. Some big names arrived and wasted no time in smashing out massive whips on the ramps. Despite plenty of dead sailors into the foam it took more time to convince them to complete their first flips but eventually Kieran Leigh had a massive attempt and off road talent Sam Greenslade gave it a solid effort aboard his Husky. Probably the rider who got the most pumped was Ben Townley who followed up some epic whips with what he called his first ever trick- a very impressive nacnac following some good advice from Nick.

These camps have been proving to be serious winners for aspiring jumpers and freestylers alike, with many more sure to come.

Trying Broxys Bike

Jaxon arrived at the Wanganui Club track the next day with a bike definitely warmed up, having ridden from home to join his two friends at our first session. You may remember him as the little TTR50 that almost took out the camera man in our 2009 Broxy DVD after racing through a puddle. Back then he had just started riding but his willingness to hang it out has not ebbed one bit. It would be an untruth to say that first hour was easy but it is the results that matter, which was very obvious in their new found riding styles.

Moto Time

Getting to coach these riders consistently is a huge help, something easy to see in working with Seth and Phillip once again as we refined old skills and made big progress with the new. They were able to enjoy a track that we were again the first to ride since having being groomed, and while the wind worked its drying ways they made the most of that condition. Our final session for the day came with a nice surprise as Terry Casserly joined David and Braeden for their remodeling. It was discovered that Terry is father to none other than the Ginger Ninja Josh Casserely, formerly of Dirtrider Downunder fame and still working hard albeit on the other side of the world. David learned to sit forward, Braeden to stand with the correct bend, and Terry worked on putting it all together.

Loving the Loam

While each track during this trip was best in the morning there was no better than the Cvitanovich’s, venue for our Palmerston North adventures. These conditions were mainly thanks to the watering and earth works of Mr Dittmer, whose son Kane delighted us with his incredible new speed aboard his new CRF150R. Stevie Lee was also back and now aboard the same class of machine, along with Davey and the irrepressible Tony Cvitanovich who is onto his fifth coaching sheet. The patches of Woodville-like dirt looked incredible and the riders wasted no time in making the most of it.

Another shock of the good kind came in the form of Rhys and Zac Jillings aboard their new KTM mini bikes. Zac especially has morphed into a racing machine practically overnight. Tylah Wind was brushing up on her 100 before Woodville after which she will make the move to the two stroke machine where her technique will be essential. Following them aboard a matching pair of TTR machines, the Smith brothers received their first Broxy Coaching session outside of the Honda kids camp and wasted no time making the most of it. By the end of their session they were doing the same basics a seasoned pro needs will use, no doubt helping their confidence.

Our last session was a laugh as I was forced to keep a serious face until everyone realized we were first here for work before the real fun could start. Goon riding, the poo stance and more names were used to get the message through which must have worked as all three riders were able to claim jumps they had never before done while their cornering also saw the bright side. By the time Broxy got to ride the track was certainly less perfect, but who would complain after a week like this!

Josh Holmes

Catching a worm may not have been the intention but all those who rose early for their Broxy Coaching session were well rewarded. Starting off in New Plymouth there were three happy lads enjoying a moist, freshly groomed Barrett road track.

Local enduro ace Larry Blair is no slouch on the MX track as well, and with a discerning eye he was looking for only the finest gold. Fortunately he was also willing to give anything a go which enabled us to make two very significant improvements in his riding, without the embarrassment of the dozens of falls he had to endure with his prior coach. Hopefully that didn’t disappoint Mrs Blair who was there with their new arrival as well.

   Up and coming Honda rider Josh Holmesmade the same two discoveries, which only video of his enthusiasm afterwards would have done justice to.

Track Taming

Unfortunately life was not so easy for our friend Cullen Hurley who was made to endure the rigors of getting his upper body moving. It is one of those high difficulty, high reward skills that are reserved for those riders truly willing to learn which, fortunately, he is.

Fresh from their camp at the beach it was no surprise that the Loveridge boys had slept in. By the time they joined Big Josh and Logan, the main track was starting to dry out- which meant the mini track- under water just a week before, was now starting to get good. With no further sessions that afternoon we could take our time and enjoy the lesson before Broxy took his turn at doing some motos while the others could happily get back to their holiday. Yes, it was dry but that didn’t stop him helping Blair Holdt from smashing his best ever lap time, by an astounding four seconds no less.

When it comes to bikes, business and know-how, the Selfe family from Oamaru won’t put you crook. The epitomy  of a hard working kiwi family, Rick Selfe opened Oamaru Honda many moons ago in 1972, and continues to be the longest serving solo Honda dealer in New Zealand.

Eldest son Blair worked with Josh Coppins for number of years in Europe but also comes with the expertise of working on road bikes, and raced motocross since the age of 10. On top of this, he is also the OHLINS guru in for the South Island.

Brad (middle brother) raced for number of years but excelled in 600 supersport class, getting a NZ title and also racing for Castrol Honda NZ from late 90’s to early 2000’s.

Leighton (the youngest of the boys) started racing later in life at the grand old age of 28 doing the motard thing and getting NZ superbike championship support class (motards) champion in 2010 and winning other South Island titles. “I have to say Honda is in our blood and always will be.”

Meet the Staff

Consisting of 9 staff, over half belong to the Selfe family:
Rick, Blair, Brad, Leighton, Beck, Tim, Kevin, Wayne and George

Sponsorship

Oamaru Honda also sponsor local riders, helping them reach their potential and achieving some great results. Joel Miekle currently rides in the juniors and shows no mercy on the track aboard his CRF150r, while Campbell King is our featured rider for the month, showing he too can push the bike around and even give Broxy a run for his money on his CRF250R!

Contact

Phone: 03 4371850
Fax: 03 4371720
info@oamaruhonda.co.nz

394 Thames Highway, Oamaru

Is it a Comet?

On his first ride at four years old… “My sister had a wee quad and I wasn’t very good, I remember crashing it into the bushes and dad yelling at me…”

How he hopped into the deep end… “I was nine, on a 65, first race was New Zealand Champs, the Nationals. It was at the Michael Godfrey track in Christchurch and real muddy.”

What happened next… “After that we did the Southern series and we were looking for an 85, went in to Honda Otago and they wanted to sponsor us so that’s how I got onto a Honda. The next year at Nationals I got 8th, at New Plymouth. I was real gutted, in one race I got the holeshot, checked out and on one of the last corners of the last lap I crashed and couldn’t pick my bike up.”

On his Championships… “In 2007 at Mosgiel (Broxy’s favorite track) I won every race, then at Taupo in ’09 I was in the 150 class and won that but I crashed, bruised a bone in my ankle ankle, could hardly walk.”

Com'n at Ya

His worst injury… “I did the cruciate ligament in my knee. It sucked because Woodville was halfway through the Supercross season and I was leading that, did my knee there and my doctors said it was just stretched, then raced at Auckland Champs, cased something and my knee popped out.”

Highlights… “Racing in Aussie was cool and getting 3rd, another highlight was running second at the Junior Worlds in Taupo, before I crashed. That was the highest, and then the lowest in the same race.”

On the near future… “I want to get top ten in the motocross Lites this year, and then maybe race the under 19′s in Aussie, just working my way up.”

Would you say that Broxy Coaching has helped? “Yip, Broxy Coaching since I was like 9, till now. Remember when you trained me at Mosigel and there was that step up thing? Yeah you were just like ‘Lean in to it’ and I just like did a whip, and I was pumped as on it. Came back and I was like Broxy I just did a whip!”

Sponsors? ”Oamaru Honda, General Tyres, Dunlop, ah, One Industries, Alpinestars and Trevor King Earthmoving.”

Battles Aplenty

Yes it is that time of year again- sun, sand and Summercross! Having built up a big reputation of excellent events that pack full of sweaty riders and sunburnt spectators, 2011 did not disappoint. The classes were full or very close to it and the crowd had plenty to cheer about. Ben Townley was there to dominate the MX1 class with Cody Cooper hot on his heels in three of the five races. The other big name you might have heard of, Josh Coppins, might not have been on peak form but was there to give Cody a hard time and steal second place in two of the motos.

This was my first official engagement as Team Bel Ray Honda Truck Driver, a title I took very seriously. With water tanks filled to their 2,000L capacity, I nursed the big girl to Awakaponga and helped set up the semi- factory rig. The fact is that I was there to race and with a perfectly prepared Botany Honda CRF250R I had no excuses- that I knew of at least.

First Corner Blitz, pics Zac Hetherington

Weaving through the traffic I clocked a time that was good enough for fifth on the gate but knew there was more to come. When the gate dropped for race one I used my local knowledge to hook up on the grass at the far right of the start straight and catapulted to a big holeshot. I then proceeded to lay some fast laps, not realizing what my heart rate was doing until I had started the third lap. By that time I realized this intensity was not sustainable even in motos as short as these so the plan was to find the speed with less effort. That kept me out front for a few more laps until I started struggling through the big roller section. I had been wheelying over the first roller and doubling from there, a tricky but fast line. By the time I had decided to go back to what everyone else was doing I had been passed by Cam Dillon and only just managed to hold off Kayne Lamont to take second spot. Five minutes later the gate dropped again, where I squeezed through in third place. Things were looking good until a square up move I attempted on Lamont left the door open for another rider to knock me clean over and I was forced to battle a twisted bike through to a seventh place finish.

Pic by Dirk Koers

A little consultation with suspension guru Jimmy saw us go back to the shock settings I had been running last week. We had backed the high speed compression off to help deal with a problem with the larger braking bumps that had bitten during the week but decided that was making it too hard for me to safely get through the rollers. Unfortunately we did not realize that I had set the bikes pre-sag wrong and while the bike was definitely better in the rollers, I ended up paying for my mistake in race three.

It started so well, passing Lamont after the rollers and then proceeding to get past Dillon for the lead. Unfortunately this was short lived as I hit one of those large braking bumps while under a lot of pressure and having a large crash. Definitely not feeling 100% I finished the race but decided that it was best I remain a spectator for the rest of the day. Meanwhile Rhys Carter took a pair of wins with Daryl King taking the final, helping my Belray teammate Cam Dillon to take a deserved overall win. The lesson was definitely learned for me that day!