Looking for a fresh challenge? — well Tokoroa on November 28 could be just the right place.

New Zealand enduro legend Sean Clarke hatched his own special brand of cross-country series this year with the Dirt Guide Cross-Country Championships in the central North Island.

Spurred on by the success and overwhelming popularity of that series, Clarke has now come up with the Dirt Guide 6-Hour Cross Country Race, set for Tar Hill, just 15km south of Tokoroa, on November 28.

Starting with a shot-gun Le Mans-style start, top national riders such as Aucklanders Karl and Chris Power, Steven Croad and Whangamata’s Jason Davis are sure to rate among the front-runners, but first they’ll have to find a way past the outstanding Metalman KMP Kawasaki Cross-country Team riders such as Ben Townley, Jason Moorfield, Luke Ramsey and Kevin Hermansen, who are already entered for the big race.

No licence is required but riders must be aged over 15 years.

Ironman and ironwomen (solo riders) are encouraged to enter, but mostly the racers will comprise two-rider teams in all the various bike capacities.

“We will allow female team riders to race their own bikes, rather than share their team-mate’s bike,” said Clarke.

But the clock is ticking for riders to get their entries in for this inaugural six-hour marathon, which is just two weeks away.

“Track preparations have been well under way for the past month or so,” said Clarke, himself a former national enduro champion and International Six Days Enduro medallist.

“The course itself will be fast and flowing and about 33 kilometres long. I get a lot of riders telling me that my tracks are to tight and a bit of a grovel. But Tar Hill is probably the most open track that I have and it is going to be great.”

He said most of the course is a clay and pumice base, so new tyres are recommended … “but who would start a six-hour race without new tyres anyway,” Clarke laughed.

Spectators would have a splendid view of racing with the start area and the pits on the tar seal. nearby there will also be a “special test” section.

“In fact, part of the track is the same as was used as the special test when the ISDE was held there in 2006.”

Entrants also go into the draw for a set of riding gear that is supplied by Northern Accessories and the Dirt Guide.

You can enter the Dirt Guide Six-Hour by looking for the advert in the Kiwi Rider magazine or look up the Dirt Guide Six-Hour on www.silver-bullet.co.nz

Failing that, simply email Sean at foresttrailevents@xtra.co.nz

Words and photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com