ATV: Rotorua riders chase titles at nationals

Rotorua's Jason Jepson will defend his New Zealand ATV Championships title on his Yamaha this weekend, with several other local riders also in action.

With four (wheels) on the floor, quad bikes bridge the motorsport gap between motorcycles and cars.

And the best of the nation's quad bike racers will converge on a challenging motocross course near Kaukapakapa  for the annual New Zealand ATV Championships.

The cream of New Zealand's quad bike racers are sure to make it look easy, even if the purpose-built course is regarded as one of the most difficult and challenging in the country.

Headline performances are again expected from Kiwi international and national TT champion Ian Ffitch (Honda) in the premier class.

But Ffitch will face hard challenges from men such as defending champion Jepson, Tauranga's Mark Goldstone (Yamaha) and Christchurch pair Sam Henderson (Suzuki) and Kalon Andrews (Honda).

"Winning the premier class as a veteran has been a goal of mine so that's the aim for this weekend," Ffitch said.

Others to watch for include Rotorua's Willy Morrissey, Stratford's Cameron and Scott Keegan, Paeroa's Mike Small and Steven Purcell and Aucklanders Thomas Morrison, Daniel Hickman and Darren Emm.

"The action is certain to be fast and furious," said Motorcycling New Zealand ATV commissioner Wade Taylor, of Napier, himself a frequent frontrunner and hoping to mix it with other top riders.

In the veterans' class, look for Rotorua's Tony Smales, Thames rider Vaughan Adams and Canterbury's Gary Doig.

Top women likely to feature include Christchurch's Nina McVicar, Tauranga's Emma Goldstone and Rotorua's Emma Smales, and junior honours could be shared by Auckland's Matthew Wickstead, Christchurch's Craig Cox and Matamata's Jacob Klaus.

The venue is Ken Fells Motocross Park, Kahikatea Flat Rd, and will be signposted from State Highway 1 near Silverdale.