What makes NZ Motocross tracks so special? Given NZ’s long history of kiwi rider’s growing up riding dirt at their local tracks, the question prompts further investigation on why such a small country can garner such passion to ride and race at club, regional, National, and International level?
Importantly, NZ’s list of rider’s who have claimed World Championship Titles started their grass-roots riding at local tracks. Taranaki was the home-base for the King brother’s whose illustrious careers stretched from the 1980’s to the present day. Shayne won NZ’s first ever World Championship 500cc and Darryll won World Vets Championship, along with 15 NZ MX Nationals Titles and 12 NZ MX National Titles respectively. Younger brother – Damien – claimed 3 NZ MX National Titles in 1996, 2006, and 2007.
Taupo was the home of Ben Townley before heading to Europe to race, claiming his first World Motocross Championship MX2 in 2004. Bouyed by self-determination to achieve goals, Ben made the transition to race in America’s MX and SX Championships, taking victory in AMA Supercross East 250 Championship in 2007. Fellow rider – Josh Coppins – left his family and home in Motueka to begin a racing campaign in Europe which spanned 2 decades. Twice World MX Vice Champion, Josh returned to NZ and operates JCR Team at regional and National Championships.
Following the path of growing up riding NZ’s tracks – varying in dirt, layout, and venue – were 2 courageous women – Katherine Prumm (now Oberlin-Brown) and Courtney Duncan. Living in Bombay, with Pukekohe MCC track near-by, Katherine set rare goals of racing in Europe’s World Women’s MX Cup in 2005, and achieved victory winning the Title in 2006 and 2007.
Courtney, based in Palmerston, in the South Island took up the equally demanding challenge of reaching similar heights to KP, venturing to America to race at Ponca City, Loretta Lynn’s, and AMA Women’s Pro Outdoors Championship Round at Hangtown. The long-awaited goal of winning World Women’s MX Championship in Europe was realized in 2019, and again in 2020, 2021, and 2023.
The significance of riding and racing within NZ’s Motocross community can not be under-estimated. Each young guy and girl takes up the love of riding a bike for enjoyment surrounded by family and friends. Whether riding at local tracks or club-days, each rider absorbs a sense of satisfaction when a skill is developed and a goal achieved. Such a feeling of purpose and want of improvement acts as a catalyst for personal growth and later professional development.
For certain, NZ boasts a bounty of Motocross tracks, attracting rider’s at all levels who look forward to practice, training, and racing in summer and winter. Such a choice offers opportunities for young and older alike to share the enjoyment, challenges, and rewards of taking part in a sport from grass-roots to the world stage.
Header photo: Film shoot with Hamish Harwood and Mason Semmens with CML KTM Team at Flight Path in 2017. Image: MXLink.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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