KIWI RIDER 06 2018 VOL.2 | Page 26

CLASS RESULTS In terms of class honours, Groombridge won the combined under-200cc two-stroke class and under-300cc four-stroke class this season, while Whitaker won the over-200cc two-stroke class. Whitaker is a record eight-time national champion in the parallel but different moto trials code and only converted to enduro racing a few years ago, but he took his KTM 300XC to solid finishes this season, his best result a runner-up finish to Groombridge at round three near Nelson in May. Other class winners in the AA Grade this season were Chris Power (over-300cc four- stroke class) and Hamilton’s Phil Singleton (veterans’, over-40 years’ class). Meanwhile, it was a groundbreaking performance from Thames rider Natasha Cairns this season. “ Cairns (KTM 150XC) knew that if she could maintain her momentum throughout the double-header Santoft/ Martinborough weekend, then she was on target to win the grade Leading the way in the A Grade (formerly known as the Intermediate Grade) competition from the second of five rounds, the 32-year-old turned heads and, at the final round in June, it was finally time for her to step up and accept the silverware. > CAIRNS 26 KIWI RIDER