Motorsport: Motocross A-list hits Taupo

Josh Coppins. Photo / Supplied

Kiwi sports fans will have a chance to see international motocross stars take on New Zealand's best at the upcoming Swann Insurance International Motocross in Taupo on November 1-2.

Motueka-born Josh Coppins will be joined by fellow World Championship Motocross competitors Billy MacKenzie (Scotland), Gareth Swanepoel (South Africa), Matiss Karro (Latvia) and Mike Brown (United States) for two days of fast, furious and exciting racing.

Coppins, currently fifth in the World Championship, is excited about racing again at the country's premier motocross facility, Digger McEwen Park, home of the Taupo Motorcycle Club.

Coppins said: "2008 has been a busy and enjoyable year and racing in front of a home crowd is a great way to end it. I hope I can deliver the result that the crowd wants."

It will be the first trip Downunder for reigning British motocross champion Billy MacKenzie.

The Taupo track will be a new experience for the man expected to be one of Coppins' main rivals. "I've heard really good things, but don't know much about it, aside from what I've seen on Google Earth," MacKenzie said.

Another high-flying Kiwi star at Taupo will be double FIM World Cup champion Katherine Prumm, who is currently competing in the inaugural women's World Championship in Europe.

Taupo Motorcycle Club President Geoff Hall is excited about the event taking place on a track regarded as fast and challenging.

New Zealand has a strong history of punching above its weight on the international motocross scene and the Swann event is a fantastic opportunity for fans to see the current crop of Kiwi international stars competing against the world's best, said Hall.

"Two years ago, 12,000 people watched the world's best riders including Coppins and 10-time World Champion Stefan Everts compete here at Taupo and we're delighted that we can bring the world's best riders here for Kiwi fans.

"We have deliberately kept prices low and believe that $25 for a weekend pass represents exceptional value."

Tickets are on sale now from Ticketek (www.ticketek.co.nz).

And the good news continues for the Taupo club, with confirmation that it will host the world's best international junior riders on August 15-16 next year as they compete for the Junior World Motocross Championship.

This event will be the first time the championship has left European shores.