Organisers of The Farm Jam are working overtime to ensure the February 1 event builds on the resounding success of the 2018 version.
With some of the world’s best riders already confirming their appearance in what will be the 10th instalment of the iconic event, new major sponsors, a streamlined ticketing system and revamped courses, landowners Dan and Brett Frew are doing everything in their power to ensure their biennial South Island event lives up to its reputation as a “must-do” for the world’s top BMX, mountain-bike dirt- jumping and freestyle motocross athletes.
Among the international riders who have already confirmed their attendance are former Word BMX champion and two-time defending Farm Jam winner Logan Martin (Australia), MTB phenoms Carson Storch (USA) and Ryan “R-Dogg” Howard (USA), two-time X Games Quarterpipe gold medallist Corey Creed (Australia) and FMX fan favourite Jake Bowen (Australia).
“The level of interest we’ve received this year from the world’s best riders has been incredible,” says Dan Frew. “It’s obvious that the reputation of the Farm Jam has now reached all corners of the globe, and has turned into a bucket-list event for dirt jump riders across all disciplines.”
Both the pushbike and freeride areas have already received a number of improvements as the Frew brothers prepare to let hundreds of invited riders sample the rolling hills of their sheep and beef farm near the small town of Winton.
Additionally, a new website, www.farmjam.co.nz has just gone live in time for Christmas, allowing spectators are able to buy tickets directly via Humanitix, and invited riders to register using a unique code. Limited-edition Farm Jam/iLabb merchandise will also be available for purchase through the site.
“This is an exciting development for us, as we’ve always taken quite a manual approach to the event entry,” explains Brett Frew. “The new website and system will streamline the ticketing process and allow for a much more efficient system at the gates. We’ll also be able to keep track of the athletes, and capture their details and sponsors, to ensure that we can follow up with them and give their supporters a mention during the day.”
Fist Handwear is a new partner of the Farm Jam, joining major sponsors iLabb, The Rock FM and Sony.
Other 2020 partners include Invercargill Brewery, Brent Scammell Honda, Jamie McConachie Shearing, SocialBMX.co.nz, ODI Grips, 100%, Malloch McLean, PGG Wrightson, Blue Sky Meats, BDL Productions, Promed and DB Graphics.
Held at the bottom of New Zealand’s spectacular South Island, the Farm Jam combines natural- terrain freestyle motocross, BMX and mountain-bike dirt-jumping.
The contest was held annually until 2014 (and now biennially) and attracts thousands of passionate spectators and some of the world’s biggest names in two-wheeled action sports to each event.
As has been the case since 2014, Farm Jam 2020 will have limited entry spots available across FMX, BMX and MTB, and competing is strictly on an invitation-only basis. Invitations were sent out last week.
About the Farm Jam
The Farm Jam began in 2008 on the Frew brothers’ 2,600-acre sheep farm in Otapiri Gorge, Southland, NZ.
From its humble beginnings it has rapidly grown into a bucket-list event for two-wheeled action-sports athletes, attracting some of the world’s biggest names in BMX, FMX and MTB.
The “jam” formats see each sport judged solely by the riders, with significant emphasis placed on judging riders from other disciplines.
Thousands of spectators flock to the highly-anticipated event that was held annually until 2014. 2020 is the 10th running of this Farm Jam.
Photo by Simon Makker/Makkreative
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