They're small, fast, custom-built and ready to race.
Students from Wanganui City College's senior technology class did a final test run of their four mini-motorbikes and sidecar on Saturday in a final fine-tuning their year's work.
Tomorrow they head to Feilding to put their creations to the test in the New ZealandSecondary Schools Mini-Moto Grand Prix at Manfeild Raceway.
The six participating students will join students from Wanganui High School in competing among 240 students from 18 schools from across the country in the event.
Their rides, which they have had to build, design and put together themselves from a $380 mini-motorcycle starter kit of wheels, an engine and brakes, will have to pass a safety test before they are allowed to race in the two-day event.
City College head of technology Chris Donaldson said it was the second year the school had taken part in the competition, which would give his students achievement standards in design, following assessment at Manfeild.
Along with researching designs and construction, students had learned how to fabricate accurately, welding and machining, all good skills for them to have when looking at going into trades, he said.
The mini-bikes would race in five distinct classes with four rider weight categories: standard bike with 50cc air-cooled engine, modified bike with 50cc air-cooled engine, standard bike with 39cc water-cooled engine, modified 39cc water-cooled engine and side-car with 110cc Loncin engine - open rider weight.
Mr Donaldson said the mini-motorbikes were capable of about 60km/h and the sidecar about 100km/h.
Last year student Daniel Saunders placed third with his mini-motorbike, and had returned with the sidecar this year looking to better his placing.
The sidecar was slightly more challenging than the mini-motorcycle, because its starter kit came with just wheels and an engine.
"The kids are feeling confident, but I'll reserve judgement. I think the sidecar is quicker than what I saw last year," Mr Donaldson said.
The event was sure to be exciting, with the kids able to see something that they had made work - or not work, Mr Donaldson said.
The Mini-Moto GP takes place at Manfeild Raceway in Feilding on Tuesday and Wednesday, from 9am to 4pm. Admission is free.
