Mini Bikes But Maxi Talent Will Be on Show

OCTOBER 1, 2019: The future of Kiwi motocross goes on show in Hawke's Bay this weekend.

Riders aged between four and 11 – and riding bikes with engine capacities anywhere between 50cc and 112cc – head into battle when the Hawke's Bay Motorcycle Club hosts the two-day 2019 New Zealand Mini Motocross Nationals at the Ngaruroro Raceway, at Mere Road in Fernhill, on the outskirts of Hastings, this Saturday and Sunday (October 5 and 6).

The championships are sponsored this season by Un4Seen Decals and the track that's been provided is sure to test and/or delight these most talented young racers.

Many of the superstars from the premier 9-11 years’ 65cc MX class last season have now moved out of the mini ranks, graduating to the junior competition, and this perhaps creates opportunities for fresh names to be etched on trophies in that class this weekend.

Egmont Village rider Travis Taylor finished third overall in the younger 7-8 years' 65cc MX class last year and he now steps up to the 9-11 year's division, perhaps making his the favourite to win this time around, although Cambridge rider William Pluck may have something to say about that.

Pluck won the 7-11 years' trail bike class last year and he now steps up to challenge for 9-11 years' 65cc MX class honours.

Meanwhile, riders such as Pokeno's Noah Otunuku, Palmerston North's Murphy Barr, Auckland's Colton Mcauley, Matamata's Riley Westgate, Waipukurau's Seth Iremonger and Pahiatua's Rafe Paewai have each impressed in this premier 9-11 years' 65cc MX class races at major mini motocross events in recent months and so they will also be worth respecting this weekend.

Several other class winners from last season have jumped up to higher divisions this year and they will be worth watching out for.

Last year's No.4 in the 7-8 years' 65cc class, Tauranga's Arama Te Whetu, can expect to be challenged in this grade by Carterton's Maddox Swanson, last year's 6-8 years' 50cc class champion.

Christchurch rider Levi McMaster won the 4-7 years' 50cc class last year, but he will race in the 6-8 years' 50cc class this weekend.

Pahiatua's Paddy Parkes won the 4-5 years' 50cc trail bike class last year but he has since graduated to the 6-8 years' 50cc trail bike class, where he will face impressive Palmerston North rider Isla Nagel.

Current leading senior grade riders such as international star Josiah Natzke, from Tauranga, and Mangakino's Maximus Purvis, Ngatea's Ben Broad, Feilding's Tony Cvitanovich, Cambridge's Ashton Grey, Hastings rider Jye Deacon, Cambridge's Trent Collins and Te Puke's Jordan Milsom, to name just a few, can all trace their beginnings to the mini motocross ranks.

International pathways can certainly begin at the mini nationals.

Motorcycling New Zealand motocross commissioner Ray Broad said that MNZ had now changed the requirement for riders having to obtain a championship licence and a club licence is all that is now required, making it more affordable for more riders and families to compete.

“The mini nationals is a stepping stone for those starting out in motocross. It is great to see that big numbers will be turning up to this year’s event in Hawke’s Bay. Michelle Davies, our mini/junior motocross co-ordinator will be there as well,” said Broad.

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