Motocross racing returns to Caroline Bay sand

Sounds as if getting mx tracks open in NZ is as challenging as getting them open in the US. However, more and more attempts are being made around the world to open new tracks. Why...just look at the smile on this boys face for the answer.

 

Mytchall Bransgrove/Fairfax NZ

South Canterbury Motorcycle Club event organiser Andrew Richardt gives Harvee King-Brookland, 9, some tips for riding.

Motocross racing is returning to the sandy setting of Caroline Bay for the first time in 13 years this Saturday.

The South Canterbury Motorcycle Club has been given permission by Ecan and the Timaru District Council to hold one of its monthly motocross club days on the Benvenue Cliffs end of the beach.

After it being on an almost annual basis from 1996 to 2002, a club day has not been held at the beach since, but some of the new blood to the club encouraged them to have a go at doing it again.

Event organiser Andrew Richardt said the novelty factor would mean there would be close to 150 riders, some who were coming from Christchurch, turning up to test their skills on Saturday.

"A lot of people have never rode on sand before and it's very different to riding on dirt. To get your bike around a sand course is very, very physical. Not only that, but every lap is different because the track changes in every lap you do."

Part of the reason Richardt has campaigned to bring motocross back to the bay is to get it into the public eye and he encouraged anyone who wanted to have a look to come down to see what it was all about.

The day would not be too competitive, with kids as young as 4 and veterans as old as 60 turning out in nine different classes, he said.

Three classes of mini-motocross bikes will be going, two junior classes, two senior classes, one veterans class and one clubman's class for those who do not have much experience at riding a motocross bike, he said.

To appease neighbouring residents concerned at the noise, the club had to do a letter drop beforehand, as well as advertise the event in the paper.

Richardt had initially wanted to hold it at the end of January when the drought had dried out most of the motocross dirt tracks in the region, but was turned down because of fears it might disturb Timaru's little blue penguin colony.

With the birds now out at sea, April was as good a time as any to hold it, he said.

"We weren't sure what the council would be like when we went in to suggest this, we were a bit worried about red tape, but they've actually been pretty good about it."

With low tide forecast for 2.30pm, the event would begin at 1pm and run to 5pm. About half the beach will be taken up with the bikes racing around inside a cordoned area, Richardt said.

 - The Timaru Herald