Race action like this will greet spectators at the annual Labour Weekend MX Fest at Taupo.
All roads lead to Taupo this weekend as the 2015-16 New Zealand motocross season kicks into life, with a 'tree-huggers versus show-ponies' element just to make things more interesting.
The big annual Labour Weekend MX Fest has again attracted all the nation's major riders and race teams, the popularity of
the two-day spectacular at the Digger McEwen Motorcycle Park, on the outskirts of Taupo, ensuring there won't be a motel bed to spare in the region over the coming days.
With new 2016 model bikes to be tuned and set up for the upcoming nationals, muscles to be flexed, fresh team line-ups and allegiances to be shaped and a long weekend in which to do it, the MX Fest heralds the start of what could be another cracking motocross season.
World, national and provincial titles count for nothing, international credentials are likely to be challenged and past loyalties go out the window as the new season brings forward fresh and exciting match-ups at this Huka Honda-sponsored event on October 24-25, with riders such as Te Puke's Logan Blackburn, Rotorua's Scotty Canham, Reporoa's Hadleigh Knight and Onewhero's Jayden Turnwald, for example, all now sporting different colours.
Motueka's former motocross grand prix star Josh Coppins, Mangakino's Kayne Lamont and Taupo's Chase brothers, Cohen and Wyatt, will no doubt place Yamaha in the spotlight; Tauranga's Aaron Wiltshier and Masterton's Bjarne Frederiksen take care of Honda's high profile; Hamilton's Josiah Natzke and Feilding's Tony Cvitanovich typically give the KTM brand plenty to crow about; Karaka's Kurtis Lilly will put Husqvarna in the picture; Coatesville's Sam Greenslade is expected to pilot his Kawasaki towards the podium and Suzuki's chances are in good hands with Taupo's Brad Groombridge always in hot form.
