"We decided that, as long as the rounds are spread out, we could expand it easily and so now we have eight rounds. All rounds count for the 'outright' winner, but riders can discard their one worst result, so only seven of the eight rounds are counted towards individual class titles.
"A lot of interest is being shown in the series this year by riders who have never before tried enduro racing, so I guess we must be starting to tap into the trail bike riding scene.
"Basically, if you can ride a trail ride, you can ride an enduro championship round ... it's just a fraction more intense."
The series will also incorporate the Kiwi Rider Junior Cup competition, catering for younger riders at the national championship rounds.
As well as the championship series' boost, there will also be a three-day North Island Enduro Championships event, at Maramarua, near Thames, over the Queen's Birthday Weekend.
The nation's elite riders are expected to embrace the new series with Kiwi international Chris Birch returning home from South Africa, Whangamata's former national champion Jason Davis back from injury, current national cross-country and 2012 outright national enduro champion Adrian Smith, of Mokau, back from a stint in the US and Wellington's six-time national moto trials champion Jake Whitaker crossing over from trials to enduro riding.
These champions, and others, will go head-to-head when the 2013 nationals kick off in just over two weeks' time, at Oparau, near Kawhia, on Saturday, February 2.
2013 Yamaha NZ Enduro Championships calendar:
Round 1: Feb 2, Oparau
Round 2: Feb 23, Whangamata
Round 3: March 24, Riverhead
Round 4: April 27, Wellington
Round 5: May 11, Waimiha
Round 6: June 1, Maramarua
Round 7: July 20, Taupo
Round 8: Sept 21, Tokoroa
