Expat Taihape rider Hayden Smith finished fourth overall for his debut season in the MX2 class of the NZ Motorcross championships after the season finale in Taupo at the weekend.
Smith, now based in Auckland, was the 2017 national champion in the 125cc class and stepped up to the more powerful 250cc grade, being one of the youngest riders at 17.
Each of the four rounds consists of three races, with Smith's best individual run being a second at the first round in New Plymouth, followed by a third at the second round in Rotorua.
A rock putting a hole in his clutch cover meant Smith needed a borrowed bike at the third round in the Hawke's Bay, getting 7th and two 8th placings, while in Taupo he got two 4th placings and a 5th.
