[Features]

NZ Insider No.17: 2015 NZ Nationals?

10 years ago | Words: Chris Ritchie

Welcome to our brand new weekly web-exclusive column, Transmoto‘s NZ Insider. Penned each week by Kiwi, Chris Ritchie, the NZ Insider will present the story-behind-the-stories on NZ-related dirt bike happenings across the globe. 

The rumour mill is flat out at the moment regarding the 2015 New Zealand Motocross Nationals, particularly which clubs will host the series’ rounds, which look to be four again as has been the case the past few seasons. The other contentious issue is surrounding the tracks associated with the respective organising clubs.

Another underlying issue is timing, and the intention to continue as a prequel to the Australian MX Nationals series, which looks to be starting earlier in 2015. This continuation has worked brilliantly over the past few seasons, with a strong Aussie contingent coming across the Tasman to use the NZ series as an ideal build-up, with the likes of KTM Australia Team Manager, Rob Twyerould, singing the praises about the NZ series, and Kirk Gibbs’ performance this year in the MX Nationals was no doubt assisted with his strong build-up in NZ, challenging defending champ, Team Motul Suzuki’s Matt Moss, until the final round at Coolum. We may even see more Aussies come over next year!

The need to continue as a prequel for the MX Nationals series has a flow-on effect on our series, and further condenses the February-March window available in the calendar. Other curveballs thrown in which affect round date selection are other national series’ events in other motorcycle disciplines, namely Cross Country and Road Racing to avoid clashing, although there is the possibility that the final round of our MX nationals could once again be held in Taupo, in conjunction with the final round of the NZ Superbike Championship, as was the case this year.

Back to tracks, the Pleasant Point circuit outside Timaru, also known as the Backflips Dirt Farm on the McKnight’s property, has been a mainstay on the NZ champs calendar for a number of years, and has undergone a multitude of changes along the way, some good, and some not so good in the eyes of the riders.

A reoccurring dust issue which has at times played havoc with racing is also never far from anyone’s memories. Certainly the time of year being the warmest, and dry weather throughout requiring plenty of water, is also a constant battle for the organisers and officials. We have even seen helicopters called in to action with monsoon buckets in the past!

The South Waikato club, who returned to the national series with their Tokoroa track this year also suffered from drought-like conditions preceding their event, essentially overwhelmed by the sheer amount of water needed to keep dust levels down.

Dust is a safety issue, and with the high injury count at Tokoroa this year, riders are demanding a safer environment to compete in, and no doubt the clubs will be not only be hoping for more rain to mitigate the risk, and also more aware of the conditions this time around.

The two main rumours doing the rounds at the moment with regards to venues are a repeat of the 2014 series, at the same venues Timaru, Tokoroa, Pukekohe, and Taupo, with the order yet to be confirmed between Motorcycling New Zealand, and the respective clubs, with the exception of Timaru. The word is that the Christchurch Offroad Motorcycle Club will organise the Timaru round, should it be included, with South Canterbury Club no longer interested.

The other rumour is that the series skips the South Island completely, featuring the aforementioned three rounds in the North Island, and the addition of another venue, yet to be confirmed.

We will keep you posted on any further developments.

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