BMX: Kiwi ingenuity ramped up for world champs

Kiwi innovation is a key part of this month's UCI BMX World Championships in Auckland.

The 32nd BMX World Championships will be staged in the world-class Vector Arena on Auckland's waterfront from July 24 to 28.

The move to indoor arenas for the sport has become more common, offering an all-weather spectacle for competitors and fans alike. However, it can create challenges for the track construction.

For the past three years there have been two separate starting ramps built for the BMX World Championships - an 8m ramp for elites and 5m ramp for challenge (age group) racing.

The confines of Vector Arena mean there was not enough room to build two separate ramps.

Event operations manager Tony Takarua, from Elite Racing Developments New Zealand, had to come up with an innovative solution.

The indoor track at Vector Arena will include three tracks in one, with all classes sharing the same starting ramp and first straight. It is the first time since the introduction of two different starting heights for challenge and elite riders that the two classes will share the same ramp.

"We came up with the concept of building a single split-level ramp structure with a longer platform for the 5m ramp," Takarua said.

"After challenge races, with the use of hydraulics, the 5m ramp is repositioned to 8m.

"We are really pleased with the concept. We have built and tested it out and I think this could become a blueprint for cities around the world that want to run the championships in indoor arenas."

Construction of the track in Vector Arena will take six days involving approximately 10,000 pallets and 60 truck-and-trailer loads of specially prepared dirt.

Organisers expect more than 2000 riders from 30 countries for the championships, although entries do not close until July 12. Kawerau's Sarah Walker - if she is fit - will lead the NZ team.