DIRT NEWS
The Woodville honour roll over the years reads like a who ’ s who of leading New Zealand motocross talent and also features some of the best riders of the day from Switzerland , Germany , Austria , Belgium , Sweden , England , Wales , Scotland , Australia , the Philippines and the United States . Even legendary British two-time former world champions Jeff Smith and Dave Bickers raced at Woodville . Smith , 500cc motocross world champion in 1964 and 65 , beat Bickers , 250cc world champion in 1960 and 61 , to the Woodville trophy in 1970 . Other big international names such as Akira Watanabe , Gunnar Lindstrom , Pius Beeler , Paul Hunt , Greg Hanson , Perry Leask , Billy Mackenzie , Jake Nicholls , Willie Surratt , Frankie Brundage , Craig Dack , Vaughan Style , Glen Bell , Dave Armstrong , Brett Metcalfe , Tye Simmonds , Dean Ferris , Kirk Gibbs , Todd Waters , Jed Beaton , Jay Wilson and Wilson Todd , to name a few , have graced the illustrious Woodville MX programme over the years . However , it has been the star Kiwis riders who have enjoyed the most success there , although only six riders have won the main trophy at Woodville three times or more in the past – Taranaki ‘ s Shayne King ( a record 9-time Woodville winner ), his elder brother Darryll King ( 5-time winner ), Motueka ’ s Josh Coppins ( 5- time winner ), Mount Maunganui ’ s Cody Cooper ( 3 ), Tauranga ’ s Peter Ploen ( 3 ) and Pahiatua ’ s Ken Cleghorn ( 3 ). The event typically attracts hundreds of competitors and spectators number by the thousands and the programme has expanded over the years to boast more than 70 races . It easily fills two days . Sadly , with COVID-19 continuing to wreak havoc worldwide and governments from so many countries forced to consider drastic options in a bid to curb the virus , some of the freedoms we previously enjoyed look to be no more than cherished memories for the time being . Hopefully , when the pandemic eventually wanes , we can look forward again to mixing with our mates and racing on the hallowed turf at the eastern end of the Manawatu Gorge .
16 KIWI RIDER