KEY POINTS:
A quadbike driver was killed yesterday after being thrown from his bike while competing in a popular race north of Christchurch.
Stephen Hales, 33, was taking part in the annual Ashley Forest Rally Sprint, near Rangiora.
Police said the Christchurch man was driving down a gravel hill when he lost control on a corner, hit a bank and was thrown almost 60m down the road.
Sergeant Brent Register of the North Canterbury police road unit said Hales was wearing his helmet and full protective clothing.
Medics and ambulance staff failed to revive him and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Organisers had a permit to use the road for racing yesterday afternoon and it was closed to other traffic.
The rider's death was last night being mourned by the country's quadbike rally community.
Carl Vaughan, vice president of the Rallies and Trials Enthusiasts Club, which organised the event, said the weather was "perfect" for yesterday's races.
He said the event had been running for about 20 years and this was believed to be the first death.
Vaughan said the course was not seen as "dangerous, I think that this was just a really unfortunate incident".
Hales' partner was last night still too distraught to talk about his death.
