National motocross title winner
National champion motocross champion Hamish Harwood. Photo: Neil Wilson.
Golden Bay has a brand new national champion, and Hamish Harwood (16) says he is determined to build on this, his most impressive achievement so far.
Hamish travelled to the recent National Junior Motocross championships as a rider rated in the top echelon of his 14 to16-years class as a result of impressive performances in local and national motocross events. At Tokoroa, though, he exceeded a few people’s expectations, completely dominating the 250cc class by winning all five races in the championships on his KTM bike. Hamish also finished runner-up in the 125cc class by three points - the difference between first and second place in the final, closely contested race. A win in that class too would have been virtually unprecedented. Most riders choose to specialise in one class at the championships, mostly because of the physical rigours of riding at that level of competition.
“All the top riders do only one class. I did two because I thought I might have a chance at both,” said Hamish.
Hamish’s triumph in the 250cc class was almost thwarted on the first day of the championships. He finished second in the first race on his 125cc machine and, about 30 minutes later, lined up to begin his 250cc campaign. On the second-to-last corner of the 20-minute race, Hamish had the lead. The second-placed rider took completely the wrong line through the corner and ran into him by. Both riders went down and Hamish sustained a nasty gash to his thigh from a foot-peg. The wound later required five stitches. With his helmet visor jammed down and his front brake jammed on, Hamish was able to get his bike started more quickly than the other rider and make it to the finish line in first place. Showing real courage and determination, he rode the rest of the championships with the stitches in his thigh and bruising to his arms and legs.
Cannon Smith, who runs the CMR Red Bull KTM Race Team, an important group of motocross high-achievers in New Zealand, has his eye on Hamish.
“Hamish really impressed me at the nats, but there’s still a long way to go. If he keeps on the right track we will be looking at him in the future. I’ll be talking to the boss of KTM Australia for their junior nats this year and I’m confident I can get him bikes. He’s just got to keep up the good work and the desire to become a champ.”
Hamish now has national trophies to add to his impressive collection. The quirky, chainsaw-themed trophies he brought back from Tokoroa are a tribute to the town’s forestry connections. They might not be the most impressive-looking trophies he has won, but they are unlikely to be the last, either. This focused and realistic young sportsman has further success in his sights.
“Right now, I’m looking forward to having a bit of a break. In the build-up to the champs I was working really hard. I was riding my road cycle, going to the gym, swimming and watching my diet. I’ll start getting into training and competing again later – maybe for the Australian junior champs at Murray Bridge, South Australia in October.”
Hamish says that he wants to see just how far he can go in his chosen sport. It’s helpful that riders like Josh Coppins and Ben Townley have shown that, in motocross, the sky is the limit, almost literally. Hamish also says that he was significantly assisted in this all-important first national championship by the efforts and sacrifices of a big group of supporters.
“I couldn’t have done it without the support of my whole crew. My sponsors, all the people who support me - and especially my parents - really help me.”
Neil Wilson
