Motocross: Bragging rights up for grabs

A motocross event is being held in Taupo this weekend to raise funds for a New Zealand team to compete at the Motocross of Nations (pictured) in France. Photo / Andy McGecham / bikesportnz.com

It will be one big weekend to help out another when New Zealand's leading motocross riders flock to Taupo for the sixth annual Battle of the Clubs motocross event.

The event is being held at the Taupo Motorcycle Club tomorrow and is a fundraiser to help send a three-rider New Zealand team to contest the big annual Motocross of Nations (MXoN) - this year in France on the weekend of September 26-27.

The likes of Rotorua brothers John and Mike Phillips are in the running to make the three-man team.

Team New Zealand failed to qualify among the top 20 countries at the MXoN last September, when it was staged in Latvia. That means no travel assistance funds are being offered by the world's governing body for the New Zealand team to attend this year's event in France.

Taupo Motorcycle Club's annual fundraiser this weekend therefore takes on added significance.

The event organisers hope they can at least equal, or perhaps even exceed the $10,000 they have previously been able to offer to Motorcycling New Zealand to help the three-rider national squad.

The fundraiser on Saturday will see the country's most talented motocross riders put aside their traditional rivalries and brand allegiances as they, instead, join together under provincial colours to compete.

The State of Origin-like format used for racing at the Battle of the Clubs will be very similar to what the Team New Zealand trio can expect when they line up in France.

Each of the national teams at the MXoN comprises just three riders - one on an MX2 (250cc) bike, one on an MX1 (450cc) bike and one on an open class bike.

Meanwhile, the club-based teams at the Battle of the Clubs each comprise six riders - three junior and three seniors - who will compete on 85cc, 125cc, 250cc and 450cc machines.

The South Waikato Motorcycle Club won last year's event in Taupo, while previous winners were the Pukekohe Motorcycle Club (2010), the Bay of Plenty MCC (2011) and the host Taupo MCC (2012 and 2013).

The final selection of the three riders, plus a reserve, who will make the trip to France, will be announced in the coming weeks.