Auckland Motocross Champs

Harrisville, 2nd March, 2003.

The day prior to Auckland Champs poured with rain. So much so, that it turned the track conditions from perfect into a saturated muddy mess. The day was always going to be tough as I had already decided to test my fitness by riding two National Championship Classes, but the mud was making it look a whole lot harder ! In fact, there were only three individuals brave (or mad) enough to race two National Classes that day.

First practice was really muddy. The one thing about Pukekohe raceway that most riders dwell on is that when the conditions are really wet the mud just sticks to everything in great clumps. It is an absolute mission to clean if you aren’t equipped with a water-blaster and the bike becomes unbelievably heavy and handles like a brick.

I managed a really bad start in my first race of the day, the first National 125 race. I hadn’t raced the 03’ 125 KTM in the outdoors before. Although we had used the bike for Supercross there were still a number of things we hadn’t managed to test for outdoors. Once I got started I did ride well with good speed but had to come from the back of the pack. I finished in 11th position.

After coming straight off my 125 race it was right back onto the track for my first National 500 race. I managed an awesome start this time. I got the holeshot and pulled a good gap on the rest of the class. I lead the race for a good two-thirds and it felt awesome to be out in front. With about two laps to go though I was block-passed by Damien King. I tried my best to get him back with a few inside shunts but decided to settle for 2nd position.

My second National 125 race was better. My start was more like mid-pack and I charged through to 7th when towards the final minutes I tired and slowed to conserve energy. A Kawasaki rider closed up behind me but he had no chance of getting around me. I finished in 7th position.

My KTM 450SX hooked up again off the start for the second National 500 race and I powered to third position. In the second lap I put in a good pass on a fellow KTM rider and moved into second place. By this time Damien King was gone and I chased with third position hot on my heels. I managed to hold onto second place up until the last two laps when I started to struggle; I was finding it tough jumping onto the big bike straight after the end of the National 125 race. I finished in 3rd position.

I decided to miss the third National 125 race. It was a very hot and humid day and with this being the first time I had attempted two National Classes I was struggling to cope in the conditions. As I was going better in the National 500 class I decided to divert whatever energy I had left to making sure I gave Damien King another battle. I sat in the van, filled up on food and water and focused on the last race. I was feeling pretty tired but at least I had 40 minutes to recover.

The gates dropped for the last National 500 race and I was lying in fourth. It wasn’t before I got into third. The roost was killing me, so I made very short work of second and proceeded to charge after Damien King, the leader. I made ground on the leader but I ran out of laps; I settled for second. I made it to the end of the day; successful and uninjured. I finished in second place overall for the National 500 and despite a poor start and missing a National 12 race, still finished in 10th overall for that class.

I learnt a lot from the Auckland Champs. I now know that my fitness training is beginning to pay off. I know in myself that if I keep up all my hard work I can be assured that my goals will be achieved. I spend all my energy living and breathing Motocross; I am riding smooth and fast and am beginning to make smart decisions, especially when things get tough. I would like to thank all those that helped me on the weekend – Matt & Kay from BikeSport for making the bikes go; Paul Ottoway and Heytrack for the opportunity to ride the best bike on the market; Smith for my great goggles; Matt Humphrey for his ongoing support and belief in me; Motul oils; Elf fuels; Arai helmets; Jimmy at Performance Factory for his wonderful suspension mods; and, my Dad.

Regards,

Ollie Sharp

#97 KTM 450 SX
#34 KTM 125 SX
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Woodville GP

Palmerston North, 26 January 2003

My first ever look at Woodville was amazing. From previous stories, I had visions of this real gnarly track with danger lurking at every bump. However, upon arrival, the track looked awesome, maybe a little wet but it definitely reminded me of a giant Ardmore.

I have recently started riding the new KTM 450 SX and am really enjoy racing it. After my good results from the Whakatane Summercross late last year I have been feeling very confident in myself and in my riding. My fitness is coming along very nicely and I have a strong gym plan in place.

After walking the track and then riding practice, I felt amped. The track was perfect, perhaps slippery in some places but otherwise tacky and with lots of damp loam.

First Race: I got a wicked start with a close second to the first corner with a fellow KTM rider. I hit the corner a little too fast for the conditions and slid wide to avoid going down and, in the process, I lost a few places and was lying in seventh position. After a couple of laps I had moved into sixth position and was catching fifth. As I caught right up to the fifth placed rider we moved into a really high speed left hand corner. We were both changing lines rapidly and I was judging whether to get him up the inside or set him up for the next corner. But before I knew it he had changed lines and shot all the way from the outside to the inside across in front of me, almost taking my front wheel with him. I jammed on the anchors and in the process hit a really slick spot and lost the front wheel. As I went down the rider trailing behind careered into the back of my bike, luckily narrowly missing me, but destroying the rear end of it. I got up unhurt although winded and was not impressed at the damage, it meant a DNF.

With a very generous amount of help from Paul Ottaway, my Dad and Matt Humphrey we managed to steal the back end of my Dads KTM 400 SX and bolt it onto my bike in time for the second round, even though the back ends of both bikes are quire different. That’s the great thing about KTM – they try very hard to keep things compatible. Thank you everyone, including KTM !.

Second Race: I didn’t get such a good start and I was still feeling the repercussions of the huge hit I took in the first race. I found it hard to get back into a good rhythm and finished in eighth place. At least the bike was in one piece.

Third Race: The final show-down which turned out to be a cracker. After a very poor and tired effort in the Invitation” a little earlier I got a reaming from the manager, and I decided that this is not how I had practised or trained, and I wasn't going to waste any more valuable time. I got in the van cranked up the music and focused hard. I got a really good start, just outside of the top five. However, the race was red flagged after a rider jumped the gates. I was annoyed, but as the gate dropped for the second time I was gone; I got an even better start, third to the first corner. I was holding the pace well until a minor error cost me one position, however, fourth was still awesome. A couple of laps later I was still holding speed with the front runners but had lost another position to settle in fifth. I finished in fifth with only a small gap between the top four and myself, and a huge gap between myself and the rest of the pack. I was rapt; not only did I learn that I can over come barriers within myself and re-focus my thoughts, but I also learnt that I am getting fitter and stronger. I am becoming more confident and all my hard work is beginning to show benefits.

I did finish the day on a high note. My 450 rules and we will make it better yet. I would like to thank all those who helped me get through the day. Thanks to Smith for the goggles, thanks to KTM New Zealand and BikeSport for the fantastic machinery. Big thanks to Matt Humphrey, Paul Ottaway and my Dad. Can’t wait for the Valley Champs !!

Regards

Ollie Sharp

#97 KTM 450 SX
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AMA 500 Nationals

Ardmore, Auckland, NZ.
Hosts: Ardmore Motorcycle Association

Sunday’s racing at Ardmore raceway in South Auckland was forecast for rain. However, this was not the case, as the track turned out to be in perfect condition. Everyone turned up for the big meeting, wanting a piece of fame, as the TV3 film crew were invited to film the days’ racing.

Feeling fit enough I opted to ride two classes; the National 125 class and the Open class or 500’s. Practice was great - the track was open, fast and real loamy; there were a few hard spots but otherwise it was awesome. It was great to get out on the big bike again, as it had been something like 5 months since I had swung my leg over the beast. Both bikes felt strong in practice so there was no need for any adjustments.

In the first 500 race I got off to a good start - I was fifth to the first corner and holding my ground. By the end of the first lap I had passed into 4th and then quickly caught up to the 3rd placeholder. It wasn’t long before I took my opportunity and passed into 3rd. I held pace with 1st and 2nd right to the flag and there wasn’t much in it. 3rd place was a good start to my day. I got back to pits and I heard the 125/250 class roar off and thought there goes my other class. Buggar! A bit of confusion but no real major problem as in the end it was good to watch how the track was forming and check out different lines.

The second 500 race was a cracker. I got a great start and by the second corner I was leading the race. I was finally in charge and it felt great. The gap between myself and second stayed the same for most of the race, close but un-threatening. Until around lap 6 when I made a small mistake but it was enough for Chris Maitland (New Zealand No.3 Open Class rider) to get through. I stayed with him though and finished in an awesome second place.

For the second combined 125/250 race, I had Matt Link from Bikesport wait for me at the start-gates with a drink and a pair of clean Smith goggles. The gate dropped and I got another great start; I was 4th to the corner, and the first 125. I attacked the three 250 riders in front of me; my KTM 125SX was hauling and by the third lap I had passed into 3rd position and chased after the front runners. I hadn’t gained much by the chequered flag but all three of us had pulled away from the rest of the pack. It was a strong 3rd place finish against the bigger capacity bikes.

I got another good start in my 3rd 500 class race and lay in 4th position for a couple of laps. Then I put a blinding pass on 3rd place and took off. Other than a malfunctioning right-fork the big-bore was going superbly and I finished in a comfortable 3rd position. I had taken 2nd overall for the day and I was happy !

Another drink and more of those awesome Smiths goggles. The gate dropped for the third combined 125/250 class and this time I was 2nd into the first corner. I was all over the back of the 1st place rider like a rash and before the end of the first lap he had made a mistake. I took the lead from him and cleared out to a very easy win. It was awesome cleaning up the 250’s.

Even though I missed the first 125/250 race I still took third overall and it was a great feeling knowing that I had achieved awesome results racing these two classes back to back. It really did show me that my demanding fitness training is paying off. My two KTM’s were simply awesome - they didn’t put a bolt wrong, so to speak!

I would like to thank Matt and Kay from BikeSport and Darryn Henderson for my training program.

Regards,

Ollie Sharp #11 KTM 125SX and #97 KTM 472SX
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New Zealand Motocross Nationals, Round 4: 20 – 22 September, 2002.
Upper Hutt, Wellington
Hosts: Kapi-Mana Club.

Upon arrival at the track late Friday afternoon, I was surprised at its location and layout. The track was quite different to anything I had previously ridden and looked tricky as most of the corners were off-camber. At least the sun was shining although the wind was quite strong.

In the first practice on Saturday morning I felt edgy and tight. The track was definitely all about lines and if you couldn't manage to get into a good rhythm you would suffer – unfortunately, I was suffering. Second practice went better - I found some different lines and got more used to sliding around.

Saturday afternoon arrived and we lined up for our first race of the weekend. I managed to pick a horrible gate position (inside) and got jammed in the middle of the pack at the first corner. Three corners later, after passing a number riders around the outside, I tried too hard and slid out on one of the many off-cambers. That put me back into last position. I rode too tightly with not enough aggression in places and finished in 23rd position.

I pondered over my poor race and decided to watch the likes of Hurley and the Kings in the other two Classes for some insights on what lines worked best. Matthew from BikeSport was a great help - he had the track better sussed than myself. After walking the track with Matt it became clear why my lines weren't flowing.

Sunday morning was terrible. We woke to gale force winds and horizontal showery rain although it wasn’t heavy. We did wonder about the safety of the track though. Practice was scary; you had to be careful of the jumps and you almost got blown off the bike in some of the corners. After a night of visualising the track I was ready to race and to race well. I did not want a repeat the previous days’ race. Unfortunately, the starters missed me completely as my number was not on the start sheet and I ended up with 30th pick of the gate – even more on the inside from the day before ! I tried to make the best of it but once again I was held up at the first corner. The next few corners were a blast as I went right round a number of riders and got to inside the top 20. Then, I made another mistake on the same corner as the day before and, just like that, I was back in 40th. This time though I dropped my head and rode like a demon. I pulled off some great passes and managed to get into 19th place by the end of the race, although this was still out of the points. However, this race showed me that I was fit and my speed was there – another 2-3 laps and I would have easily been back in the points. If I can get good starts and stay up for the first few corners then I really do have a great chance of breaking into the top 5. The rest of the day was cancelled due to the intensity of the wind. This was necessary for safety but a real blow to me because I wanted to get points.

This weekend was the first time I used my new Smith Warp goggles and I have to say that they are fantastic. Easily the most comfortable goggle I have worn and very effective. Many thanks to Sportive for the opportunity to wear these goggles.

Thank you Matthew Fielding-Link and BikeSport for your excellent help over the weekend. Your bike preparation was fantastic and my KTM was hauling ! I will try and stop bending that pipe though !!

I now have even more drive and inspiration to ride hard and train my butt off. Better starts and staying on for the first few corners are my immediate goals !!

Regards,

Ollie Sharp #11 KTM 125SX