Whangarei seize Battle of the Dunes title after tight racing

Hosts Whangarei Motorcycle Club had the last say in the  Battle of the Dunes at Ruakaka when they claimed the club trophy ahead of Maungaturoto Motorcycle Club and Far North Dirt Bike Club who came in third.
Whangarei's club secretary Ray Wedge said the  racing was  tight and the overall club  winner,  as well as many individual class winners, was not decided until the final motos.
 About 100 riders turned out  for the final leg of the three-round series with a quality contingent from the Far North Dirt Club.
"Kaitaia just don't get the attendance up there but they must have pulled a few strings which is great - they will be strong next year," he said.
To win prizemoney and individual titles, riders had to contest all three rounds at Kaitaia, Te Kopuru and Ruakaka, but those who did not ride in all three gained points for their respective clubs, Wedge said.
One prominent rider throughout the series was Whangarei's 16-year-old Michael Purdon who claimed first place in the junior 12-16-years 125cc class and  second in the senior grade expert class picking up club points along the way.
"Michael had a really strong series - he was a standout," Wedge said.
Far North's Hayden Crabb had a close tussle with Whangarei's Joel Johnson in the 13-16-years 85cc class.
"Hayden was only leading by one point heading into the third round ... it was very closely fought, with Hayden just beating Joel." 
 The large crowd which turned out to watch some thrilling racing  hopefully  indicated a building interest in the sport, Wedge said.
The series was aimed at promoting the three clubs and  attracting not only top-level riders  but also new riders who wanted to give the sport a go, he said.