More than 80 riders, aged from four to 57, lined up at Nelson BMX Club’s Easter double-header, with competitors travelling from across the South Island and as far north as Wellington and Hawke’s Bay.
The club ran two separate events over the weekend, starting with the Nelson BMX Club Easter Scramble on Saturday, a relaxed, fun-focused day, followed by the Burnett Auto Electrical Nelson Easter Champs on Sunday.
Riders competed across 13 grades, from Sprockets for the youngest competitors through to 45+ classes, highlighting the wide age range and family-friendly nature of the sport.
The Easter Champs attracted strong interest from outside the region, with riders travelling from Balclutha, Canterbury, Hawke’s Bay and Wellington to race on the Nelson track.
Each class raced four motos, followed by either deadman finals or points-based results, depending on entry numbers. Riders completed one fast, high-intensity lap per race, with some competitors doubling up by racing both 20-inch and Cruiser classes across the weekend.
In the Nelson Champs results, Amelia Williamson of North Canterbury took out the 8–12 years Cruiser Girls title, while Kayla Stevens led the 17+ Cruiser Female class. Justin Harper, from North Canterbury, claimed the 45+ Cruiser Male title.
Local riders featured strongly throughout the results, with multiple podium finishes across both Cruiser and 20-inch classes.
Sprockets riders received participation awards only, reflecting the club’s focus on enjoyment and confidence-building for its youngest members.
The Nelson BMX Club currently has 36 members and offers new riders the chance to attend three sessions before joining. Club bikes, full-face helmets and protective gear are available for beginners to borrow.
The club is run by a volunteer committee, all of whom ride themselves and are involved year-round in maintaining the track, running training sessions and hosting competitions.
Further information can be found on the Nelson BMX Club Facebook page.
Nelson Easter Champs winners
8–12 years Cruiser Girls:
1st Amelia Williamson (North Canterbury), 2nd Freya Pawson (Christchurch City), 3rd Isebella Leech (Nelson)
17+ Cruiser Female:
1st Kayla Stevens (Nelson), 2nd Donna Head (Christchurch City), 3rd Rachel Rogers (Nelson)
45+ Cruiser Male:
1st Justin Harper (North Canterbury), 2nd Rangi Rogers (Nelson), 3rd Chris Guy (Nelson)
13–44 Cruiser Male:
1st Cory Green (Nelson), 2nd Reuben Staufer (Nelson), 3rd Lawson Galt (Christchurch City)
8 Boys 20-inch:
1st Quinn Ralfe (Christchurch City), 2nd Sebastian Martyn (North Canterbury), 3rd Lockie Drake (Nelson)
9 Boys 20-inch:
1st Greyson Perno (Hawke’s Bay), 2nd Archie Bensemann (Nelson), 3rd Wyatt Beaumont (Kaitangata)
10 Boys 20-inch:
1st Max Harwood (Nelson), 2nd Lucas Wilke (Christchurch City), 3rd Hunter Robinson (Nelson)
8–11 Girls 20-inch:
1st Isebella Leech (Nelson), 2nd Amelia Williamson (North Canterbury), 3rd Freya Pawson (Christchurch City)
14+ Female 20-inch:
1st Kayla Stevens (Nelson), 2nd Donna Head (Christchurch City), 3rd Kiana McCue (Nelson)
13 Boys 20-inch:
1st Flynn Staufer (Nelson), 2nd Callum Smith (Nelson), 3rd Nixsyn Warren (Christchurch City)
40+ Male 20-inch:
1st Cory Green (Nelson), 2nd Mike Head (Christchurch City), 3rd Karl Bensemann (Nelson)
14–24 Male 20-inch:
1st Jake Wilkinson (North Avon), 2nd Corey Kingston (Nelson), 3rd Lawson Galt (Christchurch City)
11–12 Boys 20-inch:
1st Hudson McConchie (North Canterbury), 2nd Jaykhan Meihana-Rae (Nelson), 3rd Jake Giblin (Nelson)
