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Heavy rain, bitter cold and a plenty of mud couldn’t stop 160 obsessed teenagers racing their own creations around Manfeild race track yesterday.
The teens spent a year of engineering classes building the motorbikes for the second annual NZ Secondary Schools Mini Moto GP in Feilding, which ends today.
The mini motorbikes stand about 40cm high, can travel up to 100kmh, and run between 38cc and 110cc.
Riders from one of three weight classes perched doubled up over the tiny frames to race the 1.5km loop around the back straight on Manfeild.
Feilding High School student Tony Smith’s modified bike took second place in the qualifying rounds.
Carrying his bike clear of the pit lane mud the year 12 student listed the modifications he had worked on during the year.
“It’s got a big bore exhaust, a free flow carburettor, extra transfer ports, and all the ports are lined and polished.
“All the steel work construction work was done by myself with a gas mig welder,” he said.
Tony is now planning to become an engineer, and said he would look for an apprenticeship building cars.
“My teacher, Mr [Roger] Emmerson, has really driven me.”
He explained the rain was making the day even more exciting as the tiny slick tyres had such a small area to grip the wet track.
“It’s pretty dangerous out there at the moment but it’s all part of the fun,” he said, heading for the starting line, bike in hand.
The event was the brainchild of Feilding High School engineering teacher Roger Emmerson, who wanted a project students could engage with.
The first event last year attracted 50 students and immediately generated interest from around the North Island. It was a stunning success.
They each start with a $380 kit containing the engine, wheels and brakes then build themselves a bike, Mr Emmerson said.
“They’re in before school, lunchtimes, and after school.
“It’s given them a taste of engineering, to make engineering fun and to give them a go… we need talented young engineers.”
The students earn unit standards for the projects and this year Mr Emmerson also took students to see the National Mini Moto Bikes race in Taumaranui to see the experts race and get some driver training.
Several of the students involved in the first mini bikes GP last year were now working in engineering apprenticeships, and studying auto-machining at UCOL, Mr Emmerson said.
Final rounds will be held today.
MINI MOTO GP
Classes
Air Cooled Standard
Lightweight, mediumweight and heavyweight classes49cc two-stroke motorEstimated to reach 65kmh
Only modifications external to the motor allowed.
Water Cooled Standard
38cc two-stroke motor
Estimated to reach 100kmh
Only modifications external to the motor allowed.
Open Modified
49cc two-stroke motor
Modifications to the motor allowed.
Sidecars
110cc four-stroke Loncin motor
Carry two riders.
Schools:
Feilding High School, St Peter’s College, Rangitikei College, Wanganui Collegiate, Wanganui City College, Mercury Bay Area School (Whitianga), Wairoa College, Central Hawke’s Bay College, Karamu High School (Hastings), Gisborne Boys’ High School, Lytton High School (Gisborne), Whakatane High School, Nelson College
Air Cooled Pocket Bikes
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