Since Round 2 of the Championship, New Zealand riders Josh Coppins and Ben Townley have been placed second and third in the World MX 1 Championship.

And the New Zealand Motocross of Nations team; Josh Coppins, Ben Townley and Cody Cooper finished fourth in the World Teams Championship.

Local riders including one time World Champion Shayne King (Honda) and now the internationally capped Cody Cooper (Honda) were out to prove their worth at Round 3 of the 2005 SsangYong New Zealand Motocross Championship, held at Barrett Road Motocross Park in New Plymouth.

The competitors had a mixed weekend being tested not only be the demanding track, described by some as the toughest in New Zealand, but also the weather conditions. Riders were treated to try, wet and dusty conditions.

Riders who had dominated at the first two rounds were pushed to the limits. Damien King of Cambridge (Yamaha) riding in the National 125cc class won one race over the previously un-beaten Cooper, to finish second overall on the day. Cooper won the other two races and is still leading the championship. Michael Cotter, Cambridge (Kawasaki) a previous New Zealand Champion had a consistent days racing to be placed on the podium for the first time this season.

In the National 250cc class Shayne King (Honda) won the days racing over his closes rival Luke Burkhart, Masterton (Suzuki) to lead the series by only 11 points. Michael Phillips, Rotorua (Kawasaki) was on the podium for the second consecutive round after a disappointing start to the Championship.

The National 50cc class had a change of rider standing on the Number 1 podium sport. Corrie Sargent, Wellington (Honda) out-paced fellow team mate King. However, King still holds the overall points lead. Local veteran rider Mitch Rowe (Kawasaki) took the third place for the days racing.

- Source from Scoop (Nov 03, 2005) -