MYTCHALL BRANSGROVE/STUFF
A happy Michael Dunn with his Kawasaki KX450 and the trophy for being crowned NZ Motocross champion in the veterans 35-39 years grade.
Michael Dunn's dedication to motocross has been rewarded with a New Zealand title near Timaru at the weekend.
The 37-year-old from Timaru, who admits motocross has dominated his sporting life "since I was kid", is now the NZ champion in the veterans' 35-39 years category after scoring three wins and two seconds from his five races over the two days at Southburn.
It could have been a lot different though as he revealed he crashed his Kawasaki KX450 in two races but was able to recover and record seconds both times.
Eldon Megaw from Clandeboye riding a Kawasaki KZ450 in action at the New Zealand Veteran and Women's Motocross Championship at Southburn near Timaru.
There was a sixth race, an all in "champion of champions" race for the winners and he was happy to get third in that race behind a star of weekend, Christchurch's 2009 national MX1 champion Justin McDonald who won all his races.
"It was a good weekend, but it was pretty tough," Dunn said.
"The track was hard work for veterans. It was physically demanding."
Dunn puts his success down to more focus over the past 12 months.
"I suppose I've never really done that but I've put a lot more effort in since the end of last year and am certainly doing better."
He is heading into a busy period of racing, with "heaps of events" around the South Island and racing looms in places like Alexandra, Invercargill, Dunedin and Balclutha over the coming weeks.
The two-day event featured many riders who, despite their veteran status, still rate among the sport's elite, while the female side of the sport that shared the race programme was just as intense.
McDonald, who is semi-retired now, said it was great to be out on the track again though.
Former Otago rugby captain David Latta from Balclutha showed talent in another sport, winning the veterans' 55-59 years' class title.
Event organiser, MNZ board member Noel May, said the weekend was "perfect in so many ways".
"We were a wee bit worried about the weather, because rain had been forecast, but nothing came until after all the racing was completed on Sunday afternoon. We were a bit lucky," he said.
"I was really proud of the track we were able to provide and the racing was exceptional. The riders all loved it ... it was natural, old-school style.
"It was great to have Carey Hart show up. He was a really chilled-out guy and signed heaps of autographs. It was great for the sport to have him come here and he remarked that the track was 'just heaven' and better than anything he rides on back home."
Other class winners from the weekend were: Tai Patu's Brendan Wilson (Vets 40-44 years); Christchurch's Brad Norton (Vets 45-49 years); New Plymouth's Mitch Rowe (Vets 50-54 years); Balclutha's Brian Jacobs (Vets 60-69 years); Ongarue's Reg Davey (Vets over-70 years); Australian Jessica Moore (Senior women); Motueka's Roma Edwards (Junior women, 12-16 years, 125cc/250cc); Invercargill's Charlotte Clark (Junior women, 13-16 years, 85cc); Ngatea's Brooke Dalley (Junior women, 8-12 years, 85cc).