ATIAMURI CLASSIC 2018

The final round of the 2017/18 NZ Vinduro Series at Atiamuri on Sunday May 6th was a fitting finale to the series with a healthy field of over sixty riders attending. Event organisers Forest Trail Events had once again built a generous sized course comprising three sections and totaling 75 km of real offroad terrain. Drifting drizzle setting in just after the start and added emphasis to the enduro nature of the course, which though not especially difficult, was proving especially slippery and required a fair degree of rider commitment. Those in the classic class with their generally lower powered engines and minimal suspension travel had to work hard to maintain the speed schedule. Though it was fairly demanding going most riders made the first and second sections with time to spare, though by section three fitness was becoming an issue and some riders were dropping trail time, while a few had to throw in the towel, or were sidelined by the usual electrical or soggy carburetor issues.
Each section featured a well-marked special test where riders were timed to the second and these results divided all the major placings.
As often happens in an island climate the sun made an appearance about the time the riders began to finish, at least packing up was done in the dry.
The good turnout promises well for the 2018/19 season which should run from October to April, hopefully all going to plan with five rounds to look forward to.
For event and series results go to Silver Bullet www.silverbullet.co.nz/news.php?id=5271

Thanks again to Sarah Louise Stevens for the great photos in difficult conditions.