Success for Nathan | Taranaki Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Taranaki

LOCAL MOTORCROSS rider, Nathan West, recently returned home from Asia, $1000 richer and with a few more trophies to put on his mantle.

Twenty-seven year old Nathan has been riding since he was nine, but only started racing at 18.

Although he was injured earlier this year, he stepped up to compete in both Round Three of the Singapore National Championships and Round Three of the Malaysian National Championships and ended up with an impressive second place in both competitions.

The races, which were held on June 7-8, and June 14-15, had 10-15 riders in each race with people from France, Australia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore and New Zealand competing.

"They ran it as Super Cross, so that was about all they could fit on the track at one time," said Nathan.

Nathan competed in the 'expert' class, which is often called 'professional' in New Zealand.

He bought home a trophy and $1000 prize money from Malaysia, but according to Nathan, there was no prize giving at the Singapore champs due to them being unorganised, so his trophy and an unknown amount of prize money is in the mail.

Nathan, who competes alongside some of New Zealand's big names in motorcross, such as Shane King and Darryl Hurley, said he hasn't had any major wins in New Zealand.

Belonging to the Taranaki Motorcycle Club, Nathan coaches a training school for younger kids, run by the club.

"There's worse things kids could be doing, I really encourage them to get out there on the bikes," said Nathan.

So what does Nathan like about riding?

"Everything simply," he said.

"I've always liked it, ever since I was little."

Nathan would like to thank his main sponsor, Taranaki Motorcycles, as well as the Taranaki Motorcycle Club for sponsoring his trip over there.

He would also like to send a huge thanks to Larry Blair, a New Zealand rider who Nathan came second to in both competitions. Larry lives overseas and lent him bike for the competitions.

Next on the cards for Nathan is the build up towards the New Zealand Championships later this year in October and November, as well as the Taupo International.

Good luck Nathan.