THE FUTURE of New Zealand motocross will go on show on the west coast of the South Island this weekend.
The Westland Motorcycle Club hosting the 2011 New Zealand Mini Motocross Championships at a course in Waipuna Rd, Ikamatua, is expecting a huge turnout of the country's elite riders, all aged between 4 and 11 and all riding bikes with engine capacities between 50cc and 112cc.
The KTM-sponsored annual event could throw the spotlight on the next Kiwi international star, a young rider who may go on to follow in the wheel tracks of world-class New Zealand riders such as Taupo's Ben Townley, Motueka's Josh Coppins, Christchurch's Justin McDonald or Rotorua brothers Michael and John Phillips.
Wanganui's Hunter Stoneman-Boyle is expected to compete in the 7-11 years' trail bike division where Hamilton's Joel Taylor could also feature. Hunter won the 7-11 trail class at the Labour Day motocross event in Taupo after finishing fifth last year.
The racing should be particularly fierce in the 9-11 years 65cc class between riders such as Tauranga's Chris Merriman, Bulls rider Riley Campbell and Kelson's Cameron Wash.
Merriman, Campbell and Wash finished first, second and third respectively in the 65cc class at Taupo last month and they will be expected to rekindle their fierce rivalry this weekend.
Auckland's Ryan Webley and Kian de Lacy, from Great Barrier Island, should also renew their battles in the 7-8 years' 65cc class, while Tauranga's Jacob Hunt is favoured to win the 6-8 years' 50cc trail bike class.
Promising South Island riders expected to feature at the event include Rangiora brothers Kayden and Cobie Bourke, Blenheim's Jack Dalton, Invercargill pair Josh Cooper and Jake Meikle, Rangiora's Korban Paget, Takaka's Hayze Shuttleworth and Dunedin's Regan Turner, to name just a few.
In addition to KTM New Zealand, the event is sponsored by Prime Explosives, Fox Brigade, SportsPro Racing, Solid Energy Coals of New Zealand and Development West Coast.