Old champions never die; they just change what class of competition they ride in.

The New Zealand Veterans’ and Women’s Motocross Championships blast off in Canterbury this weekend and a huge number of the sport’s former greats will be lining up to show they haven’t forgotten how to twist a throttle.

The venue near Southbridge, about 40 minutes’ drive south of Christchurch, hosts the 2014 veterans’ and women’s nationals on November 22-23, with an entry list reading like a who’s who and who-used-to-be-who of the sport, including New Zealand’s 2002 250cc world No.2 and 2005 MX1 world No.2 Josh Coppins.

Sponsored by Baird’s Collision Centre, the two-day annual event features many riders who, despite their veteran status, still rate among the sport’s elite, and Coppins certainly fits that criteria.

The 37-year-old Motueka man, also a multi-time former New Zealand and British champion, has never really stopped riding since retiring from top-level competition after winning the Australian open class title in 2012.

And it is his international racing commitments which have kept him from snatching the domestic spotlight for much of the past 20 years.

Coppins first qualified as a veteran seven years ago – and it is remarkable to note that, technically speaking, he was a veteran when he won the premier title in Australia in 2012 – but this weekend will be the first time Coppins has attended the New Zealand Veterans’ Motocross Championships.

“It just works in well with me this year to do this event,” said Coppins.

“I’ll be heading down south to compete in the Burt Munro Challenge (from November 27-30), where I will ride my super moto bike, and so I’m making a bit of a trip of it.

“It will give me extra bike riding time.”

Coppins, who works as the manager for the Altherm JCR Yamaha Racing Team, will have young Australian rider Jay Wilson travelling with him to contest the New Zealand Supercross Championships, which are part of the Burt Munro festival.

Also joining the Altherm JCR Yamaha Racing Team party will be 2013 national MX2 champion Scott Columb, from Queenstown, and he will also race the veterans’ nationals, competing in the 30-35 years’ division.

“My expectations are to win my grade at the veterans’ nationals, although I really know nothing about my opposition. I am looking forward to it,” said Coppins, who officially retired from fulltime racing at the end of 2012.

“It’s just good for the Yamaha brand to be represented as these events.”

Former 500cc world champion Shayne King, from New Plymouth, should also be a force to be reckoned with at the event, along with Canterbury rider Dean Baird, Auckland’s Tony Cooksley, Nelson’s Bryan Heaphy, Blenheim’s Steve Lange, Hamilton’s Dwayne Rameka, New Plymouth’s Mitch Rowe, Blenheim’s Moston Wadsworth and Winton’s Brent Scammell.

The venue is the Everest Property, Jollies Road, Southbridge, and will be sign-posted from Southbridge.

The Altherm JCR Yamaha Racing team is supported by Altherm Window Systems, Yamaha, JCR, CRC, Ados, GYTR, Yamalube, Fox Racing, Hollands Collision Centre, Star Moving, Ward Demolition, Fulton Hogan, Pirelli, FMF, DID, NGK, Matrix, Renthal, Motomuck, Workshop Graphics, Motoseat, Hammerhead, SKF, Vertex Pistons, Rtech Plastics, Etnies, Biketranz.

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

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