Jake Whitaker

Hi Guys,

Sorry for the delay on getting this report out.

Well we had an awesome weekend over Easter taking out the Oceania title once again with my two NZ team members Stephen Oliver and Peter Oliver. First day was awesome with a cold frosty morning to start off the day, soon becoming warm and perfect riding conditions. Over the whole day my score didn’t get over single figures which was  really good, even slipping in the odd clean lap. Sections were well set and enjoyable to ride, nice and flowing with the odd big climb.

Day two was much the same but the sections being a little more on the easy side, you would think this would mean my scores would be even lower than the day before but in fact it was the complete opposite and i found myself losing some stupid unecessary points as i wasn’t being pushed by any of my competition and found it harder to stay focused with such a big lead over the event.

So with a slightly higher score than day 1 i was still in front of the rest of the pack by a good amount, to take out the top spot overall.

A big thanks to Motormart Lower Hutt for the preparation of my bike and all the work they put into it getting it running really well, also Nick my minder over the two days ( Top job Bro!) 

Cheers Guys

Jakey 

Well after a bit of a rush getting up to Palmy on Saturday morning we arrived in time for a practise, which was a good thing, as it took me a while to get to grips with the slippery creek. My first couple of laps didnt go too well but still had a good lead over the event; but i wasn’t feeling as calm and smooth on the bike as i should have. On my 3rd lap things were going a lot better but still loosing points.

Sunday was a lot nicer day for me with the sections being rocky, but also very loose with small stones moving around underneath you all the time. I was feeling much better on the bike and was extremly close to a lap of zero right up until the last section of the day which i had been struggling on all day with either a 3 or a 5 but i managed to get through for a 1.Therefore my best lap of the weekend was 1 point.

A big thanks to my sponsors Hutt Boyz Choppers, Motor Mart and Darbies.

Cheers guys,

Jake

Well i was really looking forward to riding my first event of the year and have been keeping up the training so was feeling good.  On Saturday the grass was a little slippery in the morning so i was loosing a few points here and there, as the day went on and the grass was all dryed out i was feeling much more on form. Finished the day off 1st but not with as much of a lead as i would of liked.

Sunday morning I was feeling good on the bike and was really relaxed and full of energy, this reflected on my score as i went round all four laps only droping six points. I was much happier with how i rode the second day and was able to take the overall win quite easy. I think i just needed a day to get back into the swing of it all.

I would like to thank Warren for showing great sportsmenship over the weekend, still willing to give advice when i ask.

Cheers Jake

                                                     In Support of Jake Whitaker

Aaron Slight is a former World Champion Motorcycle Road Racer. In his 17 year motorcycling career he has participated in 229 World Super Bike Races, Scoring 87 podium finishes and 13 victories.

Come and meet Aaron and hear some of his stories about his career of thrills and spills.

When: Wednesday 19th November 2008

Where: Rosewood Estate, Moores Valley, Wainuiomata

Time: 7pm to 9pm

Tickets: $45.00 per person, includes a light supper, tea and Coffee. Cash bar operating

Tickets strictly limited to 100 and available by emailing rosewoodestate@paradise.net.nz

All tickets pre sold, no door sales

All proceeds to Jake Whitaker, to assist in his World Trials Campaign for 2008/2009

This year the three days of the NZ champs were held way down South in Alexandra, one of my favourite places to ride. We left early Tuesday and arrived down in Alex Wednesday afternoon so I had a good few days of practise and getting used to the bike that I was riding for the weekend, a 250 Honda Montesa 4 stroke.

By the time Saturday came around I was feeling really good about things and started the event off well losing two points for the whole day. The sections were a little on the tame side which in a way actually made it harder on the riders as every single point was going to make a difference to the result as the points were very low. Sunday was really good, the sections were set at a good level with some bigger steps than the day before. I was riding well and after the four laps of the ten sections still had no points on my card which was an awesome achievement for me. 

Going into the last day I was confident and not only had a goal to win but to have another four cards with no points on them, after a few close calls fighting against the wind and some awesome riding I achieved my goal, two clean days and the NZ champion for the second time in a row.

Once again it was a team effort so a big thanks to the people below.

Mum and DAD, Karl and Debbie Clark, Brendon and Cathy Wadsworth and the Oliver Family.

cheers guys and thanks again for a wicked year.  

Hi guys,

Well last Monday me Dad and Nick Ball (my minder) all flew out to Melbourne to get a few days on the bike before the trial on Saturday and Sunday. During training i felt really strong and comfortable on the bike and was really feeling confident with Nick and was looking forward to the event.

Saturday morning i started off a little nervy and had a couple of unlucky fives on the first half of the lap as i was feeling the pressure. After a good pep talk with Dad and Nick i soon settled in and started to get a rhythm going on but at the end of the day was only good enough for 4th. On Sunday i felt a lot more relaxed in the sections which reflected in my riding as i posted the lowest scores all day. The sections were really big all weekend so i was well at home on the big grippy rocks so i was enjoying my ride as well. After winning on Sunday this put me in 2nd overall for the championship, so not quite what i went over for but still to come back from 4th was a big effort.

I would like to give a big thanks to Tarp at Montesa Australia for all his help, the bike was awesome couldn’t have been better. Mum and Dad. Dad for all the encouragement and advice over the week and of course Nick for doing a wicked job minding keeping me focoused and relaxed when it wasn’t going too well. It was a team effort and we were really close to pulling it off so thanks guys. I hope i can pay back the favour when we go over and win it next year.

Cheers

Jake

Hi Everyone

Just a quick note to let you all know that Jake is currently over in Australia competing in the Australian Title and is looking for a top finish.  He has been training hard over the last few weeks and is really looking forward to competing in the New Zealand Championship in Alexandra at Labour Weekend.  I’m sure that he will fill you all in on how he went in Australia when he gets back.

Thanks

We flew out to Spain on Friday morning.  We arrived at the paddock round lunch time and in the afternoon we had a practice and walked the sections.  The sections looked difficult and very long so time was going to be hard.

On Saturday the women’s championship was held and also the men’s practice and after we were able to watch some of the women ride.  Sunday I started off feeling good but not so long into the first lap things were not starting to go to plan.  I was making some stupid mistakes and were struggling to get into a good rhythm.  My second lap was a little better but still not as good as I hoped.  I rode my last section in Europe on a man made section and cleaned it perfectly so I was happy with that but would have liked to have had more of these during the day.  I finished 12^th for the day and finished the overall Championship in 10^th. 

Afterwards we watched Toni Bou win his second World Outdoor Championship in style making the last man made section look so easy on the back wheel.  Said goodbye to James and Jack as they are heading back to England and wont get to see them before I go back home.  We leave to come home on Thursday so I’m looking forward to catching up with everyone when I get back home.

My next major event is competing in the Aussie Champs in a few weeks time.

Thanks to Karl for doing a great job minding over the season and also the rest of the Clark family for their support while I have been here. 

Thanks also to those who have sent me emails, txt and phone calls over this year and not forgetting my family back home because without them I wouldn’t have had this awesome experience this year.  So THANKS!!!!!

See you all soon.

Jake

Hi guys sorry to take so long to write about how i got on. Well as you know i won the international class which was nice to be able to get up on the top step of the podium. Sunday i felt i was riding well and had a good first lap of 16. I started my second lap off well but on section 4 i had a five on the last double step close to the end. After that i rode pritty well apart from another 5  i finished that lap with 20 points.

I enjoyed the weekend and im looking forward to spain this coming weekend. A big thanks to Karl for his awesome proformance minding again.

Cheers

Jake 

Just a quick note to say Jake finished 1^st on the Saturday in the International class riding the youth line.  The international grade is a grade for non European riders to compete in.

Sunday world round Jake finished off a strong 11^th position and still holds onto his 10^th position overall going into the last world round in spain this weekend.

Jake will up date you more in depth when he gets the chance.

Karl and Debbie