The 2025 South Island Championship got off to a scorching start in Alexandra, and this time, there were no worries about snow—just sunscreen and hydration! The weather matched the intensity of the riding, with hot laps and grippy rock sections pushing riders to test the limits of traction.
Day 1 saw a tight battle between Blake Fox and Ryan Hampton, with only a handful of marks separating them. Meanwhile, just behind, the battle for third was even tighter, with John Ross, Brad Hibbs, and Ben Rowe finishing on 34, 35, and 36 points, respectively—about as close as it gets!
On Day 2, Blake and Ryan continued their head-to-head duel until an unfortunate tape break saw Ryan pick up his only five of the weekend, shifting the balance. The rest of the pack got to grips with the terrain, as shown in improving lap scores. Brad Hibbs secured third place, closely followed by Ben Rowe, with Jason Hibbs and John Ross rounding out the top
The battle in T3 was just as fierce, with Rob Boyle and Neil Belvoir fighting down to the final section on Day 1. Rob edged out the win by just two points, while Glen Smith rode comfortably into third place. Simon Hopkins took fourth, and Gabby Gundry, making her return to T3, was on a mission, supported by minder Davey Trewen.
Day 2 saw the tables turn as Glen Smith found his balance and climbed to the top of the leaderboard. Neil Belvoir remained composed, securing second place, while Rob slipped down to third. Simon Hopkins held onto fourth but showed strong improvements as the day went on. Gabby settled into her rhythm, keeping her scores down and proving she will be a serious contender as the season progresses.
T4 riders faced a true test, with the top four all finishing around 30 cleans for the day. Grant Anderson, living up to his “Mr. Squeaky Clean” reputation, took the win with just four dabs on Day 1 and an even more impressive three on Day 2. Local knowledge surely played a role!
The battle behind him was just as intense, with Ross Bristol, Malcolm Reid, and Brian Spedding finishing within a single point of each other on Day 1. Alan Honeybone and Colin Kelland were close behind in fifth and sixth.
On Day 2, the nerves settled, and Alan Honeybone leaped into third place with a strong 12-point ride. Brian Spedding kept the pressure on, finishing just one mark behind. Julian Wilson, Malcolm Reid, and Colin Kelland rounded out the top finishers, setting up what looks to be an incredibly close T4 championship battle this season.
The T5 competition featured strong performances from Jeremy Jowett, Wayne Harper, and Christine Thompson on Day 1. Jeremy rode cleanly, dropping just two marks, while Wayne followed closely on five, and Christine took third with 12.
Rob McKay improved steadily, getting his lap scores down to just one on his third lap, while Dean Veitch remained consistent throughout the day. Isabel Hopkins, making her way up to T5, tackled the daunting rocky sections with minder Simon Hopkins guiding her along.
Day 2 saw Jeremy Jowett maintain his lead, with Wayne Harper only a few marks behind. Rob McKay made key adjustments and climbed into third, just seven points behind Wayne. Dean Veitch nudged his way up the leaderboard with a standout final lap of three. Christine Thompson was right in the mix, with only a few points separating the positions. Isabel Hopkins showed major progress from the first day, gaining confidence and finishing with an impressive six cleans!
New for 2025, the introduction of the T6 (Social Grade) provided a relaxed entry point for those wanting to enjoy competition without pressure. Peter Dunn was the first to take on this new category and was thrilled with the experience, encouraging others to join him in future rounds.
A Massive Thanks to the Team
These events wouldn’t be possible without the dedicated team behind the scenes. A huge thank you to Pioneer MCC for hosting, Colin Kelland for organizing, and Paul Searancke (Steward) and Alan Honeybone (COC) for overseeing the event. Special recognition goes to Neil Belvoir, Grant Anderson, and the entire section-setting crew for their hard work. Finally, a big shoutout to IDA Bar for their generous sponsorship.
With two rounds in the books and tight battles across all grades, the 2025 South Island Championship is shaping up to be an epic season. Bring on the next rounds!
Peter Gledhill
MNZ Trials Commissioner
Email: mnztc@mnz.co.nz
Phone: 0272330722