2017 Mike Godfrey Memorial Report
After spending the early 80's battling Mike around the South Island on our 125's it has now become tradition to ride this event in his memory.
Never winning the MGM feature race in its 33 years is one of my only regrets in my MX career, although I have finished very close in second on too many occassions. Nearing 50 my shot at winning is now over as I would rather watch the likes of Ben Townley, Justin McDonald and the likes battle it out from the sidelines with a cold one after some battles in the vets class.
This year while unforunate that Jacob (Scam Jnr) was making the 'big bucks' in Aussie and couldn't race, Scam Jnr Senior (Mitchell my eldest son) and one of his mates Antz made the Brent Scammell Honda Team.
The weekend was a series of events for me, starting off with running out of diesel heading up,then forgetting to fit my transponder before starting practice and to top it off falling off at the start gates before even starting practice!
But wait it gets worse! Taken down by another rider in the first corner of the first race (after qualifying second in vets) and starting from dead last, but pushing through the field of 33 45 plus vets to finish 4th and getting the fastest lap time.
Race 2 wasn't much better after a mediocre start while blasting up the field another rider clipped my front wheel sending me cart wheeling down the track.Battered bike and body I was forced back to the pits and unfortunately DNF'd.
Usually not one to pull out of a race unless mechanical failure,injury or no peak on my helmet I had pretty much the trifecta! Oh well 3 races left!!! A battle with the leaders to finish 3rd in the last race on Saturday saw me sitting 8th overall, not a position I was happy with! Day 2 and it had rained a lot through the night and the track was muddy but still rideable. A 2nd place behind Dean Baird and the last race called off because of the weather left me in 5th = overall! With a good last race placing of 2nd gave me the countback and the trophy!
It was great to see so many riders from down South attend one of my favourite events of the year and hopefully more make the trip next year. For all results check out www.mylaps.com or www.timingtech.co.nz
Cheers and see you in the shop or at the track.
Scam #30