First-time entrant strikes success

Promising young Hamilton rider Nicholas Cole has labelled this weekend's Burt Munro Challenge his finest yet in motor racing.

The 23-year-old talent was all smiles at the completion of the Burt Munro Challenge after capturing the Formula Two titles in the Teretonga sprint races and yesterday's Wyndham Street Race.

"I'm bloody stoked actually. I was just coming down and not expecting anything," Cole said.

"I just wanted to have some fun and it worked out really good actually ... It's one of my highlights. I'm fizzing."

Cole had never raced in the Burt Munro Challenge before, but finally got around to it this year.

"I was always meaning to come but I've had so much other stuff going on," he smiled.

"This year, I decided we're going, no matter what."

The Burt Munro Challenge was again well supported by the public and Cole was astonished by the crowds at the four-day event.

"It's been huge. Nationals would struggle to get crowds anywhere near this."

In yesterday's Wyndham Street Race, the Formula One and Two classes were raced together and, despite being on a 600cc Kawasaki, Cole managed to give New Zealand motorcycling great Andrew Stroud, who was on his 1000cc Suzuki, a tough afternoon. Cole was quicker than Stroud in the second of the three races and the youngster enjoyed going up against the experienced campaigner.

"It was good to give the old fella a bit of stick. He's bloody good to ride with.

"You can ride as hard as you like and he's always going to be fair and give you a bit of room."

Cole will be back down in Southland again early next year when he rides in the 600cc production class of the New Zealand Superbike Championships at Teretonga.

"It's pretty much my favourite track ... I love it." Cole said.

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