MotoX: Taupo event attracts big names

John Phillips (Honda) will be one of the big names in action at Taupo. Picture / Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com

New-look motocross fest bigger than ever, writes Andy McGechan

It is already one of the premier events on New Zealand's motocross calendar and now it's set to get even bigger.

The traditional annual Labour Weekend motocross in Taupo once again looms large as the first major hit-out of the new season for New Zealand's motocross elite and this year it has undergone both a name change and a radical revamp as well.

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 the Huka Honda MX Fest at Taupo over both the Saturday and Sunday of Labour Weekend, October 25-26.

Now in its 29th year, the popular Taupo event is again likely to attract riders in their hundreds and spectators in their thousands, with the race programme, as usual, featuring mini, junior and women riders on Saturday and senior and veteran racers on Sunday, but with an exciting new track layout.

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The event offers more than $15,000 in prize money and will this year also feature a "whip competition" with visiting American rider Brett Cue leading the way.

The programme this year has also been extended well into Saturday night as Bay of Plenty's former world and American champion Ben Townley introduces New Zealand's first official Speedcross event.

"This is going to be huge," said Townley. "It will be the biggest thing in New Zealand this year. It will be exactly 12 months since we first introduced the concept at the Taupo track last October and now we're having the first official Speedcross event in New Zealand."

In addition to Townley and Cue, the line-up for Saturday evening's speedcross event is expected to include Kiwi internationals Josh Coppins, of Motueka, Rotorua's John Phillips, Queenstown's Scott Columb, Taupo's Brad Groombridge, Elsthorpe's Kieran Scheele, Hamilton's Josiah Natzke and Dargaville's Hamish Dobbyn, along with high-profile national championship contenders Campbell King, of Dunedin, Paraparaumu's Jesse Donnelly and Hamilton's Jesse Wiki. The following day is reserved for senior motocross racing and this will be "shake off the cobwebs" time for all the leading race teams as they build towards the start of the four-round nationals, starting in New Plymouth in February.

The Honda Shop Racing Team will be there in force with Phillips and their new signing from Tauranga, Aaron Wiltshier; the Bel Ray Pro Rider Suzuki Team will have Groombridge, King and new signing from Te Puke, Logan Blackburn, waving the flag; The Altherm JCR Yamaha Team will feature Coppins, Columb and Waitakere's Ethan Martens, while the CMR Red Bull KTM Team will have a presence with Natzke and Dobbyn. Kawasaki New Zealand will have Donnelly, Scheele, Auckland's Sam Greenslade and Ngatea's Luke Temple in charge of their high profile.

National women's champion Sarah Elwin (MX Antix BikesportNZ.com Yamaha) should lead the way in the women's category on Saturday before backing up to ride again in the National 125cc class the following day.

A trio of visiting American riders will feature in the junior ranks - 16-year-old Maryland rider Cameron Dowell, Georgia 14-year-old Gage McBee and another Georgia rider in 12-year-old Ezra Parker.

Action over the two days also features races for junior and mini class riders, as well as catering for women and veteran class racers.

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