Motorsport: Modern-day gladiators battle in Tokoroa

Josh Coppins. Photo / Getty Images

The battle for national supercross honours begins this weekend.

The modern-day equivalent of gladiators battling for their lives in the Colosseum of ancient Rome is the sort of spectacle that will unfold in Tokoroa on Saturday night when this season's four-round Backflips New Zealand Supercross Championships kick off at the man-made Amisfield circuit..

High-octane rounds in the Demon Energy-supported series will follow in Taupo, Nelson and Timaru in the weeks that follow, but what happens at the floodlit stadium in this weekend will set the tone for the series.

Motorcycling New Zealand Supercross co-ordinator Neil Ritchie said he was thrilled to report that Grand Prix star Josh Coppins would make his first appearance in New Zealand this summer at the Tokoroa event.

Coppins retired from the world championship motocross scene at the end of this season and will now base himself in Australasia, racing in both the New Zealand and Australian domestic series.

The sparks are expected to fly on Saturday night because Yamaha's Coppins is not the only headline act for this national series as he contends with several other Kiwi internationals, including Mount Maunganui pair Cody Cooper (Suzuki) and Mason Phillips (Kawasaki), Hawera's Brad Groombridge (Suzuki), Hamilton's Jesse Wiki (Honda), Rotorua's Michael Phillips (Honda), Masterton's Luke Burkhart (KTM) and Christchurch's Justin McDonald (Honda).

"We are looking forward to a really bumper summer supercross season," said Ritchie.

"There are four rounds for the nationals, plus two South Island Supercross Championship events this season, so it's a real feast of action.

"We also welcome Taupo on board for the first time this season and we already know their reputation for putting on splendid events."

MNZ Champs 2011

Round 1: Tokoroa, Saturday, December 11

Round 2: Taupo, Sunday, January 2

Round 3: Nelson, Sunday, January 9

Round 4: Timaru, Saturday, January 15