Motorsport: Cut loose to go flat out on the flat in Kuratau

Throttles will be pinned to the stops when the Ruapehu region again hosts the New Zealand Motorcycle TT Championships, on farmland near Kuratau, this weekend.

With no jumps to slow them down, the dirt bike racers - including the stars of motocross, cross-country, enduro and even road-racing, ATV and super motard - will hit eye-watering speeds as they chase glory at this 11th annual national TT championships at Kuratau, at the southwestern tip of Lake Taupo, on both Saturday and Sunday.

The ATV (quad bike) racers are a big feature of the programme, with leading riders such as Taumarunui pair Quentin Palmer (Suzuki), Amberley's Ian Ffitch (Honda) and Rotorua's Jason Jepson (Yamaha) expected to battle for top honours.

Palmer has been virtually untouchable at this event in recent years and has his fingers crossed that he can continue to dominate.

Palmer stormed to an unbeaten string of five wins over the two days last year, despite suffering from the flu. "I was worried I wouldn't be able to perform ... but there I was on top of the podium," said the Taumarunui shepherd.

That was the third consecutive year that Palmer had won the premier open class title.

He had also previously raced, and won, in the 400cc class.

Palmer said racing his ATV bike was very much like "another day at the office" for him, albeit a little more frenetic. "Yes, I work on farmland just like this every day of the week," he laughed.

Also, expect top motocross racers such as Cambridge's multi-time national motocross champion Damien King (Yamaha), Taupo's Brad Groombridge (Suzuki), Pukekohe's Craig Brown (Kawasaki), Taupo's Scott Moir (KTM) and Auckland super motard ace Toby Summers (Yamaha) to be among those battling for the top honours at the Bike Torque-sponsored event.

King entered three of the senior classes at the event last season, winning them all, but he said he is still uncertain that he would return to defend those titles this weekend, perhaps leaving the way clear for others to shine.

Taupo's Groombridge, who won the TT championships in 2008, but who was forced to sit out the 2009 edition because of injury, is primed and ready to go this weekend.

The Suzuki ace has been in great form in recent weeks - he won the MX1 class at the recent Battle of the Clubs fundraiser event at Taupo.

He was runner-up to King at the TT nationals last year and plans on going one step better this time around.

There is racing this weekend in the women's, juniors' and veterans' categories as well.

Organised by the Taumaranui Motorcycle Club, the venue is just off State Highway 41 and will be signposted from the Kuratau Junction, State Highway 41 and 32.