Drought breaks for Kiwis at Woodville New Zealand Motocross Grand Prix

EYECATCHER: Auckland rider Hamish Harwood (KTM) was in outstanding form at the New Zealand Motocross Grand Prix at Woodville. PHOTO/ANDY McGECHAN

Temperatures were hovering close to 40C, but the drought was broken at Woodville over the weekend when New Zealand riders took out the winners' laurels from the Australians at the international motocross.

New Zealand's chances looked remote, at best, but a huge fightback on day two of the annual Honda New Zealand Motocross Grand Prix at Woodville turned it all around.

The Australian contingent had the advantage – leading by 410 points to 368 – after the junior phase of racing on Saturday, but the senior Kiwis came on strong on Sunday and rescued the situation.

New Zealand eventually won the FIM Oceania Challenge by 886 points to 829, with Auckland rider Hamish Harwood the main Kiwi aggressor.

Harwood seemed to get faster as the day wore on, the CML KTM Racing team rider apparently in his element in the furnace-like conditions at Woodville.

The event was also a winner for Woodville businesses, with the two days of competition bigger than ever.

"It was fantastic and brought people and their money to Woodville in a myriad of different ways," Tararua District Mayor Tracey Collis said.

Along with queues at Woodville's Caltex Service Station, Bob Suksreephaisan, owner of Fruitful, was kept so busy at his icecream stall he had to issue tokens to waiting customers.

Run off his feet, Bob supplied free water to people waiting in the queue.