All roads lead to New Zealand’s Central Plateau tomorrow as the nation’s elite off-road motorcycle racers converge near Tokoroa for racing in the National Club Enduro Series.
Run by the Forestland Motorcycle Club, Saturday’s racing marks the second round of four in this popular competition, with about 160 riders expected to arrive with their fans and support crews.
The opening round of the Husqvarna-sponsored National Club Enduro Series (NCES) was staged at Oparau, near Kāwhia, at the end of January and the frontrunners in that occasion know there will be targets on their backs this weekend.
The venue for Saturday is situated at Tar Hill, just 12 kilometres south of Tokoroa, and it will be signposted from State Highway 1 at Kinleith.
The overall winner at Oparau’s opening round was Rotorua’s Callum Dudson, with Oparau’s Hunter Scott and New Plymouth’s Sam Parker hot on his heels, and these riders will obviously be among the favourites in the premier Expert Grade this weekend.
New Plymouth’s Blake Lusk and Auckland’s Riley Cargill are also expected to be among the Expert Grade frontrunners tomorrow, along with Rotorua’s Ethan Harris, New Plymouth’s Luke Thompson, Whangamata’s Ethan Jameson, Masterton’s Max Williams and Taupo’s former national enduro and cross-country champion Brad Groombridge.
Gisborne’s Angus Thomas led the way in the Intermediate Grade at round one, while top Youth Grade rider on that occasion was Rotorua’s Hadlee Fowler and they will no doubt be looking to repeat their grade form tomorrow.
Saturday’s event is organised and run by a man with vast experience in the sport, Tokoroa enduro wizard Sean Clarke.
He is a multi-time former New Zealand champion and a four-time medallist at the “Olympic Games of enduro racing”, the International Six Days Enduro, so he knows first-hand what it takes to win at the ultimate level of the sport.
“The club-based enduro series proved popular last year with its rideable courses and easy times for the sections,” said Clarke. “The terrain is mostly forest tracks, with plenty there to both excite and challenge the riders.”
The NCES is sponsored by Husqvarna motorcycles, Forbes and Davies accessory distributors, O’Neal apparel, Maxima oils, Arai helmets, Ogio bags, Blur, Maxi Grip, Kiwi Rider magazine, Muc-Off, Metzeler tyres, USWE and SATCO logging attachments.
NCES CALENDAR:
Round one: February 28, Oparau;
Round two: April 11, Tar Hill, Tokoroa;
Round three: May 16, Ohakuri, Atiamuri;
Round four: June 20, Ohakuri, Atiamuri.
For more information, call Sean Clarke on 027 599 6046
© Words and photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com
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