The Ixion Motorcycle Club hosts rounds seven and eight of the North Island Moto Trials championships at Camp Wainui this weekend, August 23-24.

In this form of motorcycling competition, speed is not the aim. Instead it is about conquering extreme natural obstacles through balance and precision. Points are lost from ‘dabs’ with the rider on the lowest score being the winner.

Various Ixion Wellington riders are in the hunt in many grades for top overall honours.

In the Clubman grade both Brent Douglas and 9-year-old Dylan Ball are ones to watch. Ball is leading the Junior grade as well.

The Intermediate grade is tight at the top. However Lower Hutt air conditioning engineer Robert Howard will be using his local knowledge and advantage to come out on top after three second places leading up to the weekend.

President’s grade is always a hotly contested battle with up to eight riders all capable of taking out top places over the weekend. Amongst them will be John Lawton of Kapiti and Wainuiomata local plus organiser Steve Wade.

In the A grade, Carl Robson is expected to show his rivals the way after returning from competing in an international event in Scotland. He won both days at the previous round in Taranaki holding off New Zealand representative Jacob Gundry of Tauranga.

More than 50 riders from all over New Zealand will be competing in the various grades, we also have an increasing amount of juniors competing this year so it should be a good weekend said organiser Steve Wade. This is the last event for a number of riders before flying out a week later to compete in the last round of the world championships in Spain followed by the Trials Des Nations in Andorra the week after that.

Wainuiomata’s national moto trials champion Jake Whitaker should have a showing in expert. However New Zealand team riders John Haynes of Rotorua and Matt Foster of Taranaki are expected to be at the top of their game for the weekend.

Both days are being held at Camp Wainui, 203 Coast Road Wainuiomata. Spectator entry is free.

Words by Siobhan Robson

Photo above shows Carl Robson competing in Scotland earlier this year.

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