The future of New Zealand motocross goes on show this weekend when New Zealand Mini Motocross Championships blast off on a rolling grassland course near Auckland.

The North Harbour Mini Motocross Club hosts the two-day 2013 New Zealand Mini Motocross Championships on a challenging 1.9 kilometre circuit at Waitoki, close to Silverdale and Dairy Flat, and they are expecting a huge turnout of the country’s elite riders.

The riders are all aged between four and 11 and riding bikes with engine capacities anywhere between 50cc and 112cc.

The KTM-sponsored annual event could throw the spotlight on the next Kiwi international superstar, a young rider who may go on to follow in the wheel tracks of world class New Zealand riders such as Otago’s Courtney Duncan, Taupo’s Ben Townley, Motueka’s Josh Coppins, Mount Maunganui pair Cody Cooper and Rhys Carter, Mangakino’s Kayne Lamont or Takaka’s Hamish Harwood.

The racing at Waitoki on Saturday and Sunday should be particularly hot in the 9-11 years’ 65cc class where it is likely the battling will continue between the riders who dominated the class at Taupo last weekend, Otorohanga’s Carlin Hedley, Palmerston North’s Hunter Miller and Hamilton’s Dylan Kenny.

Wellington’s Boston Doherty, Rongotea’s Rhys Jillings, Cambridge’s Jared Hannon and Te Puke’s Kyan Loomans finished first, second, third and fourth respectively in the 7-8 years’ 65cc class in the mini motocross section of the big annual Labour Weekend Motocross Extravaganza in Taupo last weekend and they, too, will be expected to rekindle their fierce rivalry at Waitoke.

In the 7-11 year’s trail class, Greymouth’s Clark Fountain and Warkworth’s Quinn Ware will have their work cut out fending off attacks from riders such as Tauranga’s Shelby Catley and Auckland trio Patrick Lunt, Harry de Witte and Ethan Kelland.

Keen eyes will focus on the fortunes of American visitor Kyle Born, the rider from Pennsylvania here to tackle the 4-7 years’ intro class, while others to look out for include Invercargill’s Jack Symon, Palmerston North’s James Day, Auckland’s Cole Davies, Hawera’s Ajay Jordan, Te Awamutu’s Thierry Brown and Hamilton’s Joshua Waller, to name just a few.

The venue is on Davies’ property, 104 Ireland Road, Waitoki.

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