RACING: 2020 AUCKLAND FLAT TRACK CHAMPS
For the first time in 25 years, the Auckland Flat Track Champs kicked the tyres and lit the fires around the Rosebank Road Speedway.
Following on from the hugely successful Clay Classic (which you can read about HERE), the Auckland Flat Track Champs returned, after about a 25 year hiatus, back to its stomping ground and the home of Solo racing in the North Island, Rosebank Road Speedway. Brought back to life by Scott Wilkins, Flat Track had been a real staple of Rosebank Road for decades, before the sport somewhat fizzled out. Getting 50 odd riders at the Clay Classic proved that Flat Track had a home again in NZ and as such, the Auckland Champs was kicked back into life on December 6th, 2020.
Unfortunately, a date clash with the NZ Road Racing champs meant that a good number of the tar babies were unable to get their leathers dirty and fight for the title. But that didn’t stop 15-odd riders from showing up and turning left in a bid to score the trophy that had been sitting in a cupboard for many, many years. Flat Track was also the largest class on the day, along-side the Solo’s, sidecars, and ¼ midgets. Something to be proud of after only 2 seasons at Rosebank.
Fluer trying to hold off Michael Blake around turn 2.
Clay Classic feature winner Blake Gillard was always going to be the man to beat. Having been running at Rosebank since Flat Track’s return, Blake has the ability, and a custom-built Flat Tracker to take that talent to the front…which he did right out of the tape in Heat Race 1. Blake got off to a quick lead, ahead of Mike Blake and Andrew Burr. Yours truly started from grid number 2 and got a horrible jump off the line and rounded turns 1 and 2 in fourth place (yep I wasn’t spectating this time). Being my first time running at Rosebank I was a little tentative and proceeded to get roosted for the first couple of laps. I made my way into second behind Gillard and saw some space when he tried a line through the middle of turn four, where I managed to pounce, getting into the lead. But as we rolled out of turn two, Gillard had re-taken the lead and that’s how it looked across the finish flag.
I was chuffed with how my first time around Rosebank turned out, considering you literally get one look-lap before you head to the start line. Finishing third in Heat Race 1 was Mike Blake, followed by Andrew Burr in fourth and Fleur Fulton in fifth.
With 15 riders, and only 12 being allowed on the track at once, qualifying was required to make it into the Auckland Champs feature race. There were three heats and each rider ran in two of those heats. Your points were tallied up from your two heats and the top 10 in points went straight to the feature. Everyone else into the last chance with the top 2 from that making it through to the main event.
Scott Wilkins and Blake Gillard dicing in Heat 2.
Heat 2 saw Gillard off the back of the grid, while Scott Wilkins shot off to an early lead from the front row. Fleur tucked in behind Scott and held her own for a lap, before Blake made a pass into second and started to attack Scotty from all angles. Jahn Jones made a move on Fleur into third on lap three while Blake moved out into the wide line and went around the outside of Scotty to take the lead by the end of the lap. Scott tried to come back through the inside of turn 3 and 4, but Blake had too much speed and held on for another win. Scotty finished a close second with Jahn in third, Fluer fourth and Michael fifth.
The final heat of the day saw myself and Scotty coming off the back of the pack, with Mat Ineson, Jahn Jones, Matthew Wortman and Jess Graham getting off the front row. It’s pretty clear that I need to work on my starts as I got another horrible jump off the line. In comparison, Scotty started from the back too, but by the end of lap one, he was already into second place hounding Jahn for the lead. The two of them put on a real battle with Jahn holding off Scotty while running a trials tyre on the rear of his KTM. Andrew Burr was holding steady in third and I was trying my hardest to get past the Kawasaki rider, but he was putting in a really good pace. I manage to finally get by, but the leaders were too far ahead as Scotty crossed the line for the win, followed by Jahn in second, myself third, Andrew in fourth and Jess Graham in fifth.
Start of heat 3
Image: Vic Gollagher via Facebook
With the day combining as a big event for the sidecars, the day dragged on a little and the beating sun didn’t help the situation. The Auckland Champs feature was set as the final race of the day. The track had dried out considerably and there were some wheel ruts forming through the turns. The front row hosted Blake, Scotty, Jahn and myself, while row two was Michael, Andrew, Fluer and Dave Cole. Off the back saw Jess, Nathan Linton, Billy Graham and Jake Sniffles at the slight disadvantage. It was going to be a 10-lap, all-out brawl to the finish and it didn’t disappoint.
Right from the tape, Blake got that always impressive holeshot and tip-toed through turns 1 and 2 in the lead. Scotty was hot on Blake’s tail and using the midsection of the track to his advantage. I slotted into third but was quickly passed by Jahn as he started tearing through the pack. He then got Scotty and moved into second - making good use of his soft tread on the Trials tyre. It looked like he would move all the way to the front until his Trials tyre finally let go and Jahn went down going into turn 1, ending the Australian’s chances at Auckland Champs glory.
Dave Cole
Image: Vic Gollagher via Facebook
The racing was getting really hot in the battle for fifth between Fleur, Jess and Dave. They were running three-wide going into turns 1 and 2 when Fleur’s rear wheel tried to overtake her front. As she tried to correct, the back end bit and threw her to the ground in spectacular fashion, causing a red flag on lap 6. She got up, a little buffed up, but otherwise OK. Her Yamaha was a little twisted so she sat out the restart.
It was again Blake with the jump on the restart with myself getting off the line better and tucking in behind the KTM rider. Michael also got a great jump and moved into third as Scott went to look for traction out wide but only found wheel spin and tears. Back to the front, I could find no way around Blake on the slick dry course. The pole line was the only ‘good’ line as the laps wore down and Blake went on to win the Auckland Flat Track Champs. only a few bike lengths ahead of myself. Third saw Michael on the podium with Scott in fourth and Dave in an impressive fifth on his heavily modified, but still very heavy Yamaha MT-07.
Myself and Blake Gillard battling for the Auckland Champs title.
Image: Vic Gollagher via Facebook.
“I was pumped to get the win on Sunday” reveals Gillard. “Especially with an event that’s had a 25-year gap that’s been brought back by popular demand. Was really cool to get the shield at prize giving and see all the engraved champions back to 1981. To have Alan Morris present the shield too…that was pretty special as Alan still brings his old Yamaha out to ride from time to time and he took the title twice in 86-87.
“I felt the track was pretty challenging. We had 3 sets of conditions for all 3 races, but it made for some good racing and the fans on the hill seemed to enjoy our class, especially with our numbers growing and growing. Bit of a break now over the summer but can’t wait to get back to Rosebank and kick off the racing again in February”
Jahn Jones right before his rear tyre let go.
Image: Vic Gollagher via Facebook
Flat Track racing is looking bright. The ease of getting yourself set up to ride means anyone with a dirt bike can make a few slight mods and have a go. Check out this post HOW TO: FLAT TRACKING 101 - GETTING STARTED on exactly how easy it is to go flat tracking for yourself. And with a decent South Island contingent also cutting laps, a national championship in the future might not be too far off the cards.
If you’re keen to get involved, check out the NZ Flat Track Facebook page and get in touch. It might just be that adrenalin-pumping, low-cost, low-impact form of racing you have been looking for...
2020 Auckland Champs Results
#5 - Blake Gillard
#81 - Chris Power
#12 Michael Blake
#411 - Scott Wilkins
#7 - Dave Cole
#83 - Andrew Burr
#4 - Jess Graham
#31 - Nathan Linton
#33 - Jake Sniffles
#15 - Billy Graham
#13 - Fluer Fulton - DNF
#282 - Jahn Jones - DNF
Video Highlights from all the Heat races and the feature - including Jahn and Fleur’s crash
