Motor Sport
Invercargill speedster Cormac Buchanan was named Junior Solo Rider of the Year at the Speedway New Zealand Awards staged in Wellington last night.
It’s the second consecutive year Buchanan, 11, has earned the top national accolade.
The 2017-2018 speedway season has proved a successful one for Buchanan, who added the 125cc Burt Munro Challenge Speedway Spectacular, Canterbury Championship, Remembrance Championship and Short Track Nationals titles to his ever-expanding trophy haul.
Along with a raft of club meeting wins at Oreti Park Speedway, the James Hargest College Year 7 student also earned second overall at the New Zealand Youth Gold Cup in Auckland in January.
“It’s awesome to be named rider of the year again at the national awards and a real honour for me,” Buchanan said.
“It’s also a great reward for everyone who invests their time and energy into my racing – especially my family.”
Buchanan also paid tribute to his sponsors – Auto Radiators, Topline Speedway Supplies, Biketranz and Hirepool Southland.
“I couldn’t race without their support so it’s great they believe in my future.”
While speedway remains a passion for Buchanan, his focus has switched to road racing on his new Kayo Mini GP machines.
“Thanks to the Southland Motorcycle Club, I’ve been able to train at Teretonga and the speed is such an adrenalin rush. I’m loving it,” he said.
“Road racing is another chapter for me and I’m excited to see where it takes me. I’ve got some big plans.
“I’m always looking for more support if there’s any potential sponsors out there keen to join our team and help me achieve my dreams.”
Fellow Oreti Park Speedway riders Aidan Thwaites and Shane Twiss were finalists at the SNZ Awards in the Sidecar Competitor of the Year category, while Dakota Crengle also featured with Buchanan in the junior ranks.
The Burt Munro Speedway Spectacular was also a finalist in the Event of the Year section, while Riverside Speedway’s Daryl Shuttleworth was a finalist for Commentator of the Year.
