Kim de Leijer
Five large haulage trucks, 4000 cable ties, and more than $1 million worth of equipment - the Crusty Demon's are in town.
McLean Park was a hive of activity yesterday as workers assembled the landing ramps and rubber flooring in preparation for tomorrow's stunt extravaganza.
The Australian extreme motocross riders
are in Napier as part of their New Zealand Unleash Hell tour, bringing with them tonnes of gear from across the ditch.
Eighteen men from Allied Work Force spent yesterday tying together rubber tiles which will act as the stunt riders' ground.
Five haulage trucks parked outside the park marked the arrival of the Demons.
Inside them were steel foundations for the three 3.6m landing ramps as well as the smaller take-off ramps.
Crusty Demons production manager Richard Stevenson said it took about a day and half to set up but only five and a half hours to dismantle after the show.
Safety was a major factor with riders prevented from using the ramps until a thorough safety check was done by the track builders.
Mr Stevenson said a lot of preparation had gone into the tour - organising accommodation for crew and riders, venues, security, marketing, right down to "cleaning and rubbish, all of that".
Weather checks are also a vital part though covers are on hand in case of rain. "We can deal with a bit of rain," said Mr Stevenson, although a "solid day of rain" was a different story.
Today the riders will go through their moves in preparation for tomorrow night's show - while the rest of the crew cross their fingers for good weather.
* Tickets to the Crusty Demons Napier show are available from Ticket Direct or online at www.crusty.com Show starts 7pm, gates open 5pm.
