A new initiative, introduced by the KTM
Factory for this year’s KTM Adventure
Rallye events, sees two participants from
each Rally around the world win the
chance to compete against each other
in the KTM Ultimate Race at the 2019
Merzouga Rally in Morocco.
The qualification challenges kicked off in
Thames with a bike lift, wheel change and
timed special test. A jovial atmosphere
had all the Rallye riders cheering on the
participants, with the top 10 going through
to the next day’s challenges.
Coromandel lived up to its hype on Day
5 and delivered an outstanding Rallye
experience, with the route winding along
the iconic coastal Port Jackson road to the
tip of the Peninsula, where a fundraising
roast lunch was provided by the Colville
School and over $2000 was raised by
riders.
The afternoon’s action was provided
by another Ultimate Race Qualification
challenge, a timed special set against the
dramatic backdrop of Port Jackson bay.
Rallye riders were able to watch the action
before partaking in a special breakout
94 KIWI RIDER
route around the Port Jackson farm, which
offered breathtaking ocean views against
endless green hills.
And with the final day over the range to
Whangamata, even though the route had
to be amended due to the amount of rain
in the region, it was still all smiles as riders
rolled into the final coastal town for a night
of awards, laughs and reminiscing about
an unforgettable week.
The Ultimate Race Qualifications proved
to be an outstanding addition to the event,
with best mates Kevin Archer and Elliot
Kent taking out the honours to represent
New Zealand in Morocco.
Greg Murphy: “What a way to see the
country! The 2018 KTM Adventure Rallye
took me places I have never been and
probably wouldn’t have visited, which
being I am a Kiwi, is a bit embarrassing.
The scenery was breathtaking and the
variable terrain covered was amazing,
exactly what the KTM Adventure Bike
range was designed and built for. A huge
congrats to the whole KTM organising
team who delivered such a memorable
week.”