Motorsport: Gibbs jets off to New Zealand

ON THE THROTTLE: Former Mount Gambier motocross rider Kirk Gibbs went four, two, four at the Woodville Grand Prix in Palmerston North, New Zealand to finish fourth overall in the MX1 class on the weekend.

AFTER finishing the 2017 MX1 National Championship runner-up, former Mount Gambier motocross rider Kirk Gibbs has jetted abroad to New Zealand for some additional seat time before the 2018 season kicking off in April.

Gibbs recently announced his re-signing with the KTM Motocross Racing factory team, alongside 2017 rookie Luke Clout.

It is Gibbs’ sixth consecutive year with KTM.

The 28-year-old has had a lot of success in his time with the factory team, winning the MX1 motocross championship in 2015, before settling for runner-up in 2016 and 2017 to Dean Ferris.

Woodville Grand Prix in Palmerston North was Gibbs’ first stop in New Zealand on Sunday where he finished a satisfactory fourth overall in the MX1 class and second overall in the feature.

Gibbs qualified third, 1.720 seconds behind Kayne Lamont and 1.225 short off Cody Cooper.

Race 1 was up and down for the former South East rider.

Gibbs holeshotted second, but by lap three dropped back to fourth.

He was able to pass for third, but finished fourth by the chequered flag.

With a podium finish the aim, Gibbs stepped up the pace.

He was able to make up ground in Race 2, powering to third straight out of the gate and passing Kayne Lamont for second early, holding his position until the finish line.

Gibbs struggled out of the gate in Race 3, but passed John Phillips for third early in the 10-lap moto.

However, Rhys Carter came from fifth to third, pushing Gibbs back to fourth.

The four, two, four handed Gibbs fourth overall for the day, behind Cooper, Hamish Harwood and Carter.

Gibbs will now turn his focus to the New Zealand Motocross Championship.

It is a four-round championship, beginning on Sunday at Taranaki Motorcycle Club.