KEY POINTS:
The fourth and final round of the New Zealand Motocross championships are being held in Taranaki this weekend and will feature Shayne King's last appearance at the nationals.
King, the former world, Australian and New Zealand champion, has decided that after 20 years at the top he's hanging up the boots and helmet.
The racing is expected to be fast and furious in all four classes at New Plymouth's Barrett Rd motorcycle park.
In the 500cc class Cody Cooper has a relatively safe 24-point lead over fellow Kiwi international Daryl Hurley.
Hurley had been threatening for the title but an eye injury caused him problems at Hastings and may worry him this weekend.
The 250cc class is particularly tight at the top, with any one of four or five riders capable of taking the title on Sunday afternoon. Luke Burkhart is four points ahead of Michael Phillips, 14 points back is Damien King with Shayne King breathing down his brother's neck three points behind.
"There are just three races to go before I retire and I want to go out with a bang," said Shayne King. "We've done some testing on the bike and identified and fixed the electrical problem I was experiencing."
Damien King, contesting two classes, is running away with the defence of his 125cc title. The 31-year-old is 65 points clear of Michael Menchi and, with just 75 points on offer in the three races on Sunday, it's unlikely he'll be overtaken.
Women's world champion Katherine Prumm is unbeaten in the women's class this season.
