Southland Champs - Birchwood 2010

Tucked amongst the hills of Birchwood Station, Western Southland is one of the best Mini/Senior MX tracks in the South Island. Used once a year for the Southland Champs, it is a must do for most serious MXers from Christchurch south.

Run by the Southland Club for the last six years, it offers great prize money,  good trophies, large marquee and seriously social camping. Plus heaps of spot prizes from local bike shops, SportsPro Racing, Northern Accessories and DRD subscriptions.  

Jayden Moore

Over two hundred riders including some fifty minis regularly attend. With ongoing track improvements, this year was possibly the best ever with a well prepared, heavily watered track holding up well over two hot windy days.

Stars of the show this year had to be the juniors.
Current Woodville Junior 250 GP winner Sam O'Callaghan (CRF 250) of Cromwell was untroubled in his Junior class, taking the win with a round to spare and the Junior Feature. It was a different story in MX2 when he had to come from back in about fourth to beat Isaiah McGoldrick (KTM125) from Rangiora by less than half a second in race two, but when Isaiah hurt his ankle in race three it was all plain sailing. Sam went on to win the MX2 and finish second in the Senior Feature behind MX1 winner, Christchurch's Andy Blanchard (KTM 450).
Sam O'Callaghan Sam O'Callaghan Isaiah McGoldrick Isaiah McGoldrick
Clear winner in Junior 125's was Micah McGoldrick (KTM) making his debut transition from 85's. Behind were three riders,  all on 100 points after five races. Riverton's Josh Tippett took second overall  from Jayden Moore of Leeston and Winton's Michael Armitage, all on KTM's . Armitage had the consolation of a fine third in the Junior Feature behind Sam and Micah.
 
 

The 12-16yrs 85's were dominated by Courtney Duncan (YZ ),Palmerston, from Joel Meikle (CR), Oamaru and Dylan Walsh (KTM), Christchurch,  all  85cc Oceania reps, along with Micah.

This year a novelty teams relay was run, which proved to be lots of fun. A  Mini 65, Junior 85, 125, 250, MX2, Vet and MX1 each did a lap of their track, stopping/dropping their bike in a bunted area, before sprinting to tag the next rider. Of the ten teams entered Christchurch Off Road beat home a Southland Team.  

 

First time winner of the Vets was recent Southland import Martin Axtens  (CRF450), who only bought the bike two weeks before the event. His last race was in 1991, when he finished third behind Darryl and Shayne King. Martin reckons the track reminds him of Harrisville, only Birchwood is better!

Larry Mouat