The bikes and riders may be small in stature, but the action is expected to be very big indeed in the Central North Island town of Huntly this weekend.

All roads lead to the Slater Lakeside Motocross Park for the annual Honda New Zealand Mini Motocross Championships on Saturday and Sunday as the search begins to find the nation’s next Ben Townley or Josh Coppins.

The racing will be particularly hot in the 9-11 years’ 65cc class between Mangakino’s Maximus Purvis and Hawera’s Kieran Baker.

Purvis and Baker finished first and second respectively in the 9-11 years’ 65cc class at the North Island Mini Motocross Championships in Taupo last month and they will be expected to rekindle their fierce rivalry this weekend.

Tauranga’s Luke McClymont and Papamoa’s Trent Duggan should also renew their battles in the 6-8 years’ 50cc class, while Pukekawa’s Jesse Te Kani and Te Awamutu’s Daniel White should feature near the top of the standings in the 7-8 years’ 65cc division. Napier’s Thomas Harrington is favoured to win the 6-8 years’ 50cc trail bike class.

Top South Island riders expected to make the trip include Christchurch’s Kayden Bourke, Blenheim’s Jack Dalton, Oamaru’s Jake Meikle and Dunedin’s Regan Turner.

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