Motocross: Birch to race elite in Huntly hills

Rotorua's Scott Birch is among the frontrunners at the opening round of the Bel Ray Cross Country Championships near Huntly this weekend. Photo / Andy McGechan

Rotorua's Scott Birch will join a list of New Zealand's top cross country riders at the 21st anniversary Bel-Ray Cross Country Championships.

The hills near Huntly will echo with the sound of highly-tuned dirt bikes this Sunday.

Once again the entry list for the three-round competition reads like a who's who of New Zealand off-road motorcycling talent, with a handful of Kiwi internationals and current and former national champions.

In addition to the regulars, riders such as four-time and current national cross country champion Adrian Smith (Mokau) will be in attendance.

Other top riders expected include former national champion Adam Reeves (Palmerston North), Raglan's Jason Dickey, Morrinsville's Hayden and Nathan Tesselaar, Auckland's Sam Greenslade, Morrinsville's Simon Lansdaal, Hamilton's Andrew Charleston and Taupo's Greg De Lautour, to name a few.

Two-time former American cross country champion Paul Whibley (Pahiatua) is also a possible starter on Sunday.

The Bel-Ray Cross Country series has long been popular with New Zealand riders, with the course generally featuring safe and free-flowing trails.

The expert class has always attracted New Zealand's top talent with many Kiwi internationals competing while at home during the international off-season.

The venue for Sunday's race is Vining's Farm, Tiko Tiko Rd, west of Huntly.

The remaining two rounds are set for January 11 (Smith's Farm, Naike) and February 8 (Sutton's Farm, Bombay).

The 90-minute junior race starts at 10am on Sunday and the two-hour senior race blasts off at about midday.

Mini bike riders will run a race on a separate, extended motocross track, starting at 10am. Day licences are available and free for the first round.

Wellington's Jake Whitaker, Napier's Warren Laugesen and Auckland's Liam Draper are also fancied to be among the leading riders this weekend.