Morrinsville's Simon Lansdaal (Husqvarna) is expected to be one of the leading riders in the Dirt Guide Cross-country series. Pictures / Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
Morrinsville's Simon Lansdaal (Husqvarna) is expected to be one of the leading riders in the Dirt Guide Cross-country series. Pictures / Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
Series perfect way for new riders to start, writes Andy McGechan
Ever wondered what motorcycle cross-country racing is all about? Your chance to find out comes this weekend at the seventh annual running of the Dirt Guide Cross-country Series at Tar Hill, just south of Tokoroa.
The popular three-round competition is the ideal opportunity for novice or first-time racers to be initiated into the sport.
The multi-layered series also offers serious racing for the more accomplished off-road exponents. Entries are expected from elite riders such as recently recrowned four-time national cross-country champion Adrian Smith (Yamaha), of Mokau, Auckland's Chris Power (Yamaha), Whangamata's Jason Davis (KTM) and Morrinsville's Simon Lansdaal (Husqvarna).
Tauranga's Reece Burgess (KTM) led the 2013 edition of the series after two of three rounds, but his campaign came to grief at the final hurdle. With two laps to go and in second place, Burgess got a puncture. This dropped him back to 27th overall and eighth in class, not enough to take the title.
The overall series win last year was shared by Titirangi's Callan May (Yamaha) and Taupo's Greg de Lautour (KTM).
De Lautour's scoreline was 8-2-3 and May's was 4-6-2, meaning they accumulated identical points (55). Burgess finished 3-1-27 to earn 45 points.
The Dirt Guide series is a popular stand-alone series, separate from the nationals and a perfect preparation for Kiwis wishing to head on to greater things.
May is an example of a rider who has done just that. He is overseas this season, regularly finishing among the leaders in the prestigious Grand National Cross-country Championship series in the United States, so he obviously won't be among the starters at Tar Hill on Saturday.
Putaruru's Ryan Scherer won the intermediate grade in the Dirt Guide series last season, his second consecutive outright win in the grade, with Carterton's Luke Fisher second and Bennydale's Duncan McLaren rounding out the top three.
Teenager Greg de Lautour, of Taupo, hopes he can repeat his performance of 2013.
In the junior division, Auckland's Jake Wightman made a clean sweep of the 2013 series, while Oparau's James Scott fought back from a bad start to take third overall on the day but second place for the series.
There's something for everyone in the Dirt Guide series, starting with the mini-bike riders in the morning, right through to the main race for seniors in the afternoon.
"The main senior race starts at 12.30pm. This features a 20km loop in the forest and is suitable for anyone over the age of 15 ... as long as they have a reliable dirt bike and appropriate riding gear," said organiser Sean Clarke, a former International Six Days Enduro medal winner and multi-time national enduro champion.
Activity continues the next day, too, with a trail ride planned for Sunday at the same venue. As in previous years, no Motorcycling New Zealand licence is required to race in the Dirt Guide series.
The day kicks off at 9.30am with the 7-11 years mini riders and the 12-16 years juniors.
"If you don't feel like racing, there is always the trail ride the next day," said Clarke. "The main loop is about 35km and there are shorter loops and a kids' track, so if you're looking for a great race or trail ride, come along and have a go."
Round two of the series is set for Ohakuri, also just south of Tokoroa, on June 28 with the third and final round on July 26, also at Ohakuri. In each case, the trail ride will be run the following day.
Dirt Guide Series 2014
Round one: May 31-June 1, Tar Hill, south of Tokoroa Round two: June 28-29, Ohakuri, south of Tokoroa Round three: July 26-27, Ohakuri, south of Tokoroa
