Previous Junior winner Callan May
WINNING ON A 125: CRAIG BROWN
2005 was the year I won the Bel-Ray, and
I REALLY wanted to win it. I remember
in 2004 I almost secured the win but I
got two punctures in two rounds which
forced me out of the competition.
I wanted to win the series on a 125cc
bike as I knew nobody else had done it,
and I think that nobody else has to this
day. I was on a fresh new 2005 KX125
and I had done a lot of testing so we
got it set up well for cross country. Even
today, that bike was one of my favourite
bikes to ride.
The next best thing about winning the
overall on a 125cc bike was seeing Luke
Ramsey try so hard for a number of
years later to do the same thing on his
KX125 - he kept coming up short though.
What a great achievement from Huntly
Motorcycle Club and Bel-Ray Oils for
their continued support.
Well done to the both of you!
old mate Pete McPhee (Vege, to those who
know him well) and John Nicholson of Kiwi
Rider. These guys were keen on the concept
and provided valuable input and, naturally,
publicity and promotion. Our small group
within the Pukekohe Club laid down some
basic ideals for the Series which have been
maintained, in essence, right through to the
present day.
The main focus was to provide a series which
focused on developing riders and providing a
pre-national training ground for the growing
34 KIWI RIDER
talent pool within the region and beyond.
The idea was for easy, well-marked, free-
flowing natural terrain tracks with no bottle
necks or obstructions that would allow all
levels of riders to enjoy their day. A consistent
format and reliable scoring with results out
early and a social get together prize giving
after each round with a big party at the final.
A range of classes to inspire new and old
riders to compete, carefully graded to prevent
dissent. Very close association with the
landowners and a policy of fallowing tracks
bi annually to protect the resource. Careful
budgeting and pre-organisation to ensure
all aspects were covered including paying
landowners and other parties a more realistic
fee for services provided.
The original group mentioned above
really flew into the organisation of this new
series and using the club’s main property
at Kohekohe, then owned and farmed by
Grant and Miles Dickey, together we ran the
very first round of the Bel-Ray Cross-Country
series.
SERIES GROWTH
From late 1993 to 1996 the series grew
rapidly and became well known throughout
the country for its fast, free-flowing tracks.
Some time around 1994, we tried very hard