Taihape's Hayden Smith has been caught up by Karaka rival Kurtis Lilly as the pair continue to battle hard at the top of the 125cc class after the second round of the NZ Motocross Championships.
At a drenched Rotorua track on Sunday, Lilly secured two wins and a runnerup placing from the three races to make up the three point deficit to Smith - one win and two runnerups - and leave them tied at the top of the season table.
Nelson's Hayden Wilkinson remains third overall but is 41 points behind the co-leaders.
The series next heads to Palmerston North on March 12, before concluding in Taupo on March 25.
Meanwhile in motorcycle street racing, there was great success for Whanganui racers at the Paeroa Battle of the Streets event on Sunday.