Teammates of Hawke's Bay motocross rider Tommy Watts gave him the nickname "Tommy Gun" at the weekend.
The HLR Husqvarna Racing Team member from Wairoa responded by out-gunning his rivals at the New Zealand Junior Championships in Mosgiel. He won the 15-16 years 125cc class by scoring five wins from five starts and finished the weekend 21 points ahead of his nearest challenger, Dunedin's Grason Veitch.
"This was my fourth attempt to win a title at the junior nationals, since my first campaign in 2014. On that occasion I was riding in the 85cc class and getting lapped by the top riders. Now it's me doing the lapping," Watts said with a laugh.
"A lot has changed for me since 2014. I'm now more experienced, bigger, stronger and in a bigger bike class. I love the Husqvarna and I'm really clicking with it.
"At the start of the year I set a few goals for myself ... to finish top five in the senior nationals and to earn a podium spot in the junior nationals. I've exceeded all my expectations."