The day leading up to the dinner was really busy but finally everything was done and we were just waiting for everyone to arrive. I was a bit nervous about my speech but once I got into it I was ok and it got easier.
I really enjoyed listening to all the guest speakers and I would like to thank Warren, Luke, Brendan and Dad for their encouraging words. A special thanks to Trevor Mallard for joining us on the night. I would also like to give a big thank you to John Ravenscroft for being a great MC.
After the speeches we had a DvD presentation created by my Uncle Erin. It was awesome and everyone enjoyed it so a big thanks to him also you made the night.
Lastly, I would like to thank everybody who came along on the night it was really good to see you all there to support me.
Unfortunately due to unfavourable weather conditions we have had to postpone the demo planned for Sunday 29th April.
Riding in wet conditions is extremely dangerous for the riders and unpleasant for the spectators as well!
New date is Sunday 6th May, all show times, displays etc remain the same.
? Rosewood Estate is pleased to be able to host a Fundraising Dinner to help Jake get to Europe in July this year.
When: Saturday 28 april 2007, Where: Rosewood Estate, Moores Valley, Wainuiomata. Time: 6pm to 11pm
Cost: $65.00 per person, continuous cocktail food, complimentary bubbly on arrival, cash bar
Tickets: Available by phoning Rosewood on [04] 5646 246, or email rosewoodestate@paradise.net.nz
Trevor Mallard, Minister of Sport will be our guest speaker along with Warren Laugesen 7 times NZ and twice Australian Champion. There will be a DVD presentation of Jake along with some musical entertainment.
On Sunday 29 April 2007 Rosewood will also host a family fun day and Trials Demonstration. A great? day out for all the family, in a wonderful garden setting. Jake and Warren will present 3 shows during the day 11am, 1pm and 3pm. There will be bike shops displayiing their latest machines. Choppers, Harley’s, Triumphs and Police bikes on display. Mini quad bike rides and Harley rides with ‘Blue Mountain Harley Motorcycle Tours” available. Music throughout the day. Food and Devonshire teas etc available.
Admission: Adults $10.00, Children $5.00[5-13yrs, <5: free], Family Pass $25.00[2 Adults, 2 children]
Gates open at 10am. Postponement if wet Sunday 6 May 2007
Note: Due to room, entry limited to 600 per show.
About three weeks ago now I got a phone call from Warren Laugesen to say that I had been chosen to be in the NZ Oceania team. I was very excited ,but at the same time nervous with all the pressure that comes along with an event like this. We drove up to Tauranga on the Friday before with Brendan Wadsworth and good mate Nick Oliver.We left Wellington at 5.00am so we could get up there nice and early to have a little practise with the Aussie boys (Kyle Middleton and Jason Byrn) at Warrick Merrimans place. Later on that night, after we had a practise, it was Oz v NZ in the paddock car racing which I got the fastest time around the mini drift track. NZ cleaned up by the way. Anyway getting serious now, on the Saturday morning we got to the trial nice and early so I could have a decent warm up on the slippery tree roots. I fived the first section of the day because my minder Brendan grabbed the bike when he thought I was going to fall back down a big bank but it wasn’t all bad because that same bank caught everyone out on lap one. I didn’t have a very good first lap but I made up for it with an awesome second and third but coming unstuck again on the last. In the end I finished the day three points ahead of Warren putting me in 1st place for that day. The Australian rider (Kyle) was about 30 points behind me at this stage. On day two I found it quite a bit tougher than the day before with some very greasy sections in the river next to a massive water fall and this is where all Warrens experience was just too much for me to match up to. I had some awesome rides but I just wasn’t consistent enough and I wasn’t happy with my riding at all. It still was an awesome feeling riding out section 10 on the last lap knowing that I was the 2007 Oceania trials champion and now equal with Warren in the North Island Championships. I now have my first FIM medal.
I would like to thank Brendan Wadsworth for being my minder for the weekend, Warrick and Sue Merriman for putting us up over the weekend and the Australian team for coming over and competing so that we could have the event. I would also like to thank the Tauranga Club for hosting the event and also for their generous support in helping me get to Europe this year.
Jake Whitaker
On Sunday the 1st of April we were invited to the? Manfeild truck races to do the lunch time entertainment. We picked the MNZ demonstration trailer up? in Levin along with Warren Laugesen who kindly agreed to ride out there with me. Some members of the Manawatu Trials Club gave up their time to help set the trailer up and drove the demo car that we rode over, thanks guys much appreciated.
When the time came for the show we waited in the dummy grid before we were called to the track. When we were given the nod to go out I rode out alongside Warren and thats when the nerves kicked in as there was a **** load of people watching. It was hard going out there cold, without a warm up at all really but after a few times over the car I forgot about all the people watching me so I was now riding as my usual show off self. At this stage the trailer was set up and we started our normal routine on it. Everything went well and there was only one part of the trailer we hadn’t done yet the eight foot splat wall; Warren did it first and then it was my turn. Now a splat is when you let the back wheel hit first and that sends the front down so you dont loop out but I gave it a bit to much { still adjusting to the 250 power after coming off the 125,the bike I normally ride} and only just nipped the top edge of the trailer so I was still hanging way off the back but I managed to keep it under control and got a good clap from the crowed and a “s**t that was close!” from Warren.
After the show we collected donations for our trip to Europe in July. Thank you to everyone who gave so generously and supported me. We raised $ 1600.00, which will be a big help.
Jake Whitaker