Defending Tri Series super motard champion Toby Summers will need all his skills and luck to hold out the leading Wanganui contenders, Glenn Haden and Richard Dibben, who will mount new machines this season.
The Aucklander won last year's series on consistency, with the roomier Hampton Downs and Manfeild circuits suiting his modified Yamaha YZ450 dirt bike better than the River City duo's Hondas.
However, Haden, who finished second to Summers in last year's series, and Dibben (fourth) begin this season at Hampton Downs this weekend on new CRF450 Hondas.
Round two is at Manfeild the following weekend and the final round at the Cemetery Circuit in Wanganui on Boxing Day.
"All season last year we both had Toby in our sights," Haden said yesterday.