Michael Phillips MX2 New Zealand champion

Posted by Ray | 17 November 2009 | Comment

It was time to head to the final round of the 09 championship at Taranakis Barrett road track just out side New Plymouth and with a 4 point lead I knew it was going to be a big weekend.
We walked the track on the Saturday and there was dust everywhere. The weather forecast had been for rain the next day so the club was holding off watering to see what was going to happen.
Sunday rolled around and it rained but not as much as they had forecast and there were slippery insides and big dusty burms in practise and qualifying.
I managed to put a few good times in and come out with the 2nd fastest time behind Honda rider Jessy Wiki. I was happy with that.
Moto 1 the rain was still drizling down but the track hadn’t changed much from qualifying so it was going to be a slippery dusty race.
I got my Honda off the concrete clean and pushed into the first turn but came in a little hot and both wheels slid out. I just so happened to be in front and had about 10 bikes ether ride over me or into me. I picked myself off the ground in about last place and was thinking that’s the championship done. I rode as fast as I could in the conditions and before I new it I was on the back wheel of Suzuki rider Scott Columb the rider I was 4 points in front of in the championship.
I managed to pass Columb and get into 5th place by the end of the moto.

Moto 2 I didn’t get off the gates that great and came around the first turn in about 7th but pushed into 3rd by the first lap. I had my team mates Cam Dillion and Peter Broxholme in front of me. Both made little mistakes and I was able to get into the front. Broxholme had my back the hole race and we came in 1st and 2nd.

Moto 3 I got off to a good start and had Broxholme in front of me for a lap. I past Broxholme and had the lead but Columb had moved into second behind me and I was wondering what he was going to do. I made the first move and let him past. I only had to finish in the top 5 if he won the race for me to get the championship.
Broxholme was in 3rd and even though we were going pretty slow he didn’t need to pass me. He had the overall for the day and 3rd in the championship.
It was a slow race with Columb looking back to see if I wanted to race him. I was happy sitting in 2nd and that’s how it ended up.

I was just happy to get that last race over an done with. The racer inside of me wanted to win but I new second was good enough for the championship. Scotty pushed me the hole championship, we had some good battles and I hope we put on a good show for those that watched.
A big thanks to my team Honda Racing NZ for there support during the series. Also congratulations to team mate Justin Mcdonald and Honda for taking home the MX1 title as well.
Big thanks to Team manager Shayne King and my mechanic Deano for building my bike. I always felt confident and new I had the best gear out there.
Thanks to all our team sponsors, to all the Clubs and there sponsors. It was great to see you still supporting motocross in these economic times.

Tags: champion, columb, honda, mx2, new zealand, phillips, taranakis