With winter behind us, the New Zealand race season kicks off with the NZDH series. A long standing North Island based series providing aspiring riders with an opportunity to have their first crack at racing and develop their craft. Finding out what it takes to put together a race day. The NZDH series is a one day format with practice in the morning before two race runs in the afternoon with the best of the two determining the result.
This is the first stop on a busy summer tour for Envision Racing. Both Jonty and Cole are coming in firing off their first trips overseas for a taste of international racing. The long standing home of round one Rotorua played host once again only this year with a twist. The race traditionally held in the Whakarewarewa Forest has made the move across town to the world famous Skyline Rotorua. Known for playing host to not only to Crankworx but also the 2006 World Championships (Junior gold taken out by VIRIS NZ Co founder Cam Cole but that's a yarn for another day). Skyline unveiled a brand new track for the race.
With the track being fresh it developed and cut up through the day providing a dicey track come the afternoon. Mistakes were lurking in the afternoon shadows as riders threw down for race runs.
Both Jonty and Cole had a great weekend. With the preseason test camp also held at Skyline the bikes were dialled and preparation paid off as the boys walked away with amazing results in the hotly contested Under 17’s class.
Cole held it down for 6th on the day which is incredibly impressive as a first year in the class and has his eyes set on the box going into round two.
After a smooth run Jonty lit it up in his second race run to take the WIN in Under 17’s and 2nd fastest overall time on the day. Incredibly impressive.
We caught up with the boys for a few comments. Here’s what the riders had to say about their weekend.
Cole Hulsebosch
How was your weekend and how did your race runs go?
Cole: The weekend was mean. My first race run was pretty good putting me in 4th but had one mistake because of a bad line which I decided to change for my 2nd race run. My 2nd race run was better in most sections. Except I fell low on the off camber which lost me a lot of time.
How did you enjoy the track and did it change much through the day?
Cole: I liked the track because it was very different to what we have raced in the past with a lot of off camber. The track only changed in some sections with it forming ruts and some corners flattening out.
What were the pre race snacks that got you firing?
Cole: Before the race I had fruit, lots of water with electrolytes and an up&go.
Round 2 at FourForty next weekend. How do you like the track and what are you aiming for?
Cole: I like the track at 440 because it’s quite high speed, I’m aiming for top 3.
Jonty Williamson
How was your weekend and how did your race runs go?
Jonty: I had a great weekend racing in rotorua, my first race run was smooth and I only really made one mistake. My second run was pretty loose at the top but I managed to put a good run down.
How did you enjoy the track and did it change much through the day?
Jonty: The track at skyline was a lot better than I expected, and turned out to be good fun. It was pretty slippery in the morning but dried up in time for race runs.
What were the pre race snacks that got you firing?
Jonty: For my pre race snack I had a bun with some ham, and a Moro bar.
P2 overall and walking away with some cash, what are you gonna spend it on?
Jonty: I was super stoked to get P2 overall with some prize money. I will probably put the cash towards something on my Motorbike or a new GoPro
P.S A big thank you to our team partners that make Evision Racing possible. Over the weekend the bikes were dialled, the kit looked good and the tyres were hooking up! We and the boys are grateful for your support and we are pumped to be ambassadors for your brands at the races, interacting with the community and doing a small part in making the industry a better place.
Round 2 is just around the corner (next weekend) and we will be in touch with another report soon. See you on the trails!
Liam Jackson & Cameron Cole - Envision Racing
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