Taupo MCC’s International Motocross event in 2006 featured Stefan Everts, Joel Smets, and Josh Coppins racing in front of 10,000 plus spectators at Digger McEwan Park in NZ. The magnitude of the epic weekend of racing was nothing short of exciting with anticipation reaching an all time to see 10x World MX Champion – Stefan Everts – line-up against 5x World MX Champion – Joel Smets and the best of NZ’s rider’s racing on the sandy/pumice/sawdust sections of Taupo Motorcycle club’s track.
Home club to Ben Townley, the International MX event raised the bar on NZ’s capabilities to host and attract international rider’s to compete post Europe’s race season, with the race weekend held on November 14. Equally, Taupo MCC met all the challenges of holding such a huge race weekend, including Sunday’s racing of the Oceania Cup, which was the precursor to hosting the Junior World Motocross Championship in 2009.
For those who were there, including MXLink, witnessing NZ’s best rider’s race against Europe’s elite was a sight not forgotten, especially as home track advantage tested the caliber of European World MX Champions in front of packed spectators clambering for a glimpse of racing. As Ben stated: ‘‘I love riding at Taupo. I grew up there, so I know the terrain so well. It’s not an easy surface to ride on – volcanic ash, sand, pumice – so it will be quite tricky for the international rider’s who arrive”.
The adept skills of Josh Coppins proved more than a repeat performance – having won against Stefan in MXGP of Northern Ireland in September, ’06 – taking Race 1 win and finishing P3 in R2 for overall victory. NZ’s Darryll King capped off an outstanding season taking P2 overall, having secured NZ Motocross National Championships – 125cc and 250cc – earlier in the year. Cody Cooper rounded out the top 3 with NZ’s Luke Burkhart in P4 and World MX Champion 500cc – Shayne King – taking P5 overall. BT had to withdraw due to an injury which occurred on Thursday’s press day.
To complete Stefan’s race visit to NZ, father Harry Everts – 2x World MX Champion – shared his knowledge and race experience in a 2-day training session with young, talented, rider’s post the International MX event. Such an opportunity proved a once-in-a-life-time experience for all, proving Taupo MCC’s initiative to undertake the running of the International MX event impacted more than just rider’s racing over 2 days at Digger McEwan Park.
Header photo: Taupo International MX event Images: Anthony Lyon Graphics: MXLink.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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