Dirt Rider Downunder

06/12/2023

Pretty cool Blue Wing Honda
Well done!

15/11/2023

Altherm Window Systems have an amazing experience up for grabs!

They are looking for six primary schools scattered across the regions in New Zealand to welcome Josh Coppins and the Altherm JCR Yamaha team for a visit to their school over February to April 2024.

During their visit, Josh and his team will share insights into motocross as a sport and career path, and talk about how their goals, aspirations, and the challenges they have faced have helped them develop as both riders and people.

PLUS, there will be a bike presentation and giveaways throughout the visit!

Click the link and tell them which school you think they should pick!

https://www.altherm.co.nz/promo/JCR-school-visit

T&Cs apply.

Entries close 4pm Thursday 30 November 2023.

27/10/2023

Great news!

MNZ Senior Motocross Championship to include women at all four rounds.

Motorcycling New Zealand (MNZ) Women’s Commission are proud to announce that the 2024 Senior Women’s Motocross Championship will be held alongside the men at next year’s Senior Motocross Championship.

“The 2024 MNZ Senior Motocross Championship is being held over four rounds across the country and for the first time, each round includes championship races for women – it is just great,” says Women’s Commissioner Sandra Perry.

“As part of our strategy to increase the numbers of women competing in motorcycling, the Women’s Commission has been working with the other commissions and the result for motocross is a four round championship alongside men.

“The 2024 Senior Women’s Motocross Championship, especially with one round in the South Island, is a great opportunity for any senior women motocross rider to race and for many, aspire to follow in the footsteps of our four-time world champion, Courtney Duncan,” says Mrs Perry.

“The Women’s and Motocross Commissions have worked hard to build the profile of women in motorcycling, so to have four rounds of the senior women, matching the men, is simply outstanding,” says MNZ Motocross Commission member Sonia Cloke.

“We have come a long way and this outcome is due to the success of the collaboration between our commissions, and in my view, the sport is better off for it.

“On behalf of both Commissions, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the host clubs and the MNZ Board for their support too – including women in the 2024 Senior Motocross Championship would not have happened without their support,” says Ms Cloke.

“Having women compete at the same event as men is such a good outcome – it is good for women, good for motocross and good for the sport – and it reminds me of the slogan ‘girls can do anything’,” says Women’s Commissioner Sandra Perry.

The dates and host clubs as previously announced are:

Round 1 3 February 2024 Rotorua Motorcycle Club
Round 2 25 February 2024 South Otago Motorcycle Club
Round 3 23 March 2024 Pukekohe Motorcycle Club
Round 4 13 April 2024 Taranaki Motorcycle Club

17/10/2023

The 2023 NZ Veterans’ MX Championships

VAST EXPERIENCE AND PLENTY OF HORSEPOWER TOO

CAPTION: New Plymouth’s Mitch Rowe (KTM), top dog overall at the 2023 New Zealand Veterans’ Motocross Championships at the weekend. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com

They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks … but why would you bother when the old tricks are still working just fine?

Former national champions and Kiwi internationals from the recent past all gathered in Central Hawke’s Bay at the weekend for the two-day 2023 New Zealand Veterans' Motocross Championships.

The venue at Otane tested riders to the limit, but perhaps the most pressure came from within the riders themselves, each of them trying to recapture and relive their glory days from younger years … or perhaps even to find fresh speed.

There was certainly plenty of talent on show at the Yamaha-sponsored event on Saturday and Sunday.

Host Central Hawke's Bay Motorcycle Club official Raewyn Sergeant said: “It was a great weekend, held in good spirit, with plenty of old mates catching up”.

She also said the region provided great racing weather for both days.

“We had some close battles in some of the age classes and some riders that travelled from far away really enjoyed the track, but commented at prize giving that it was very different to what they normally ride,” said Sergeant.

“Many had come to our New Zealand veterans’ event in 2019, on the same track, and that's why they came back. Most trophy winners commented that the vet nationals is something they want to see continue, so it was great to see all the riders that came. But we only had three vet women riders show up, which was a shame.”

She said the Central Hawke's Bay Club appreciated sponsorship from Yamaha Racing, as the event’s major sponsor, and support came too from Tom Twist, of Twist MX Argyll.

“It was an outstanding effort from a small club, with a huge number of CHB volunteers making the event run smoothly over the two days.

Taranaki’s Mitch Rowe won the "handicapped" (points earned in race plus the rider's age) Champion of Champions feature race that wound up the weekend.

Results from the 2023 NZ Veterans’ Motocross Nationals:

Champion of Champions Feature race winner: Mitch Rowe (New Plymouth).

Vet 30-34 years: 1. Kayne Lamont (Hamilton) 125 points; 2. Matt Sutherland (Otago) 104; 3. Jonathan Martelli (Reporoa) 100.

Vets 35-39 years: 1. Shannon Hewetson (Richmond) 125 points; 2. Bradley Wadsworth (Masterton) 104; 3. Daniel Stoddart (Otane) 102.

Vets 40-44 years: 1. Scott Birch (Rotorua) 122 points; 2. Ryan Buxeda (Auckland) 106; 3. Matthew Vining (Te Kauwhata) 95.

Vets 45-49 years: 1. Josh Coppins (Nelson) 125 points; 2. Brad Thomas (Nelson) 108; 3. Tom Twist (Waipawa) 102.

Vets 50-54 years: 1. Peter Locke (Palmerston North) 120 points; 2. Aaron Fitzgerald (Nelson) 111 points; 3. Hamish McIntyre (Napier) 102.

Vets 55-59 years: 1. Darren Capill (Whakatane) 125 points; 2. Mitch Rowe (New Plymouth) 106; 3. Steve Lange (Marlborough) 104.

Vets 60+ years: 1. Tim Gleeson (Te Aroha) 117 points; 2. David Latta (Balclutha) 113; 3. Steve Holmes (New Plymouth) 94.

Vet Women 30-39 years: 1. Stacey Emms (Blenheim) 125 points; 2. Kylie Forman (Tauranga) 110; 3. Candice Fox (Auckland) 40.

Credit: Words and photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

17/10/2023

Electric CR set to go racing in Japan.
What do you reckon? Would you give it a go?

15/10/2023

Yamaha has got a load of dirt events coming up this summer including one for the ladies. Check them out.

Introducing Yamaha Women’s Off-Road Ride Day for 2023. Hosted by Josh Coppins and supported by Amie Roberts, April Mainland and Shelley Hickman, this day will be an exclusive women’s event where each attendee will learn new skills, receive coaching, mechanic workshops, bike setup tips, training and nutrition info. This is an event for women of all ages, riding ability doesn’t matter, neither does the brand of bike – All women are welcome! Follow the link to secure your spot. https://www.yamaha-motor.co.nz/discover/news-and-events/news/racing/2021/july/yamaha-activations

05/10/2023

Looking for something to do tomorrow (Oct 7)?

The Dirt Drags are on and it's looking like it's going to be the biggest year ever in the event's 17-year history.

With MX1, MX2 and Juniors plus cars, quads and buggies all competing head-to-head on the straight dirt track, there's always plenty of action.

Head to www.dirtdrags.co.nz for more info.

21/09/2023

Our thoughts are with the family. Such a sad thing to go through 🫶

Help Luke's family through a very difficult time.

01/06/2023

18/05/2023

Looks like a good excuse for a ride while raising some money for a good cause!

Roll out your mud scooters and join us...

Enjoy the trails, a BBQ, and loads of spot prizes while helping raise funds for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter. 💸🚁🚑

Bikes and gear are also available for hire — just touch base with Mandy at Thundercross to book: [email protected]








Leatt Protectives
Fly Racing
Bridgestone Moto
Shoei Co., Ltd.
Thundercross Valley Dirt Bike Park