by Andy McGechan
TAUPO’S COHEN CHASE (KAWASAKI
KX450F), SURE TO BE AMONG THE
LEADING RIDERS AT THE TT NATIONALS
FLAT-OUT ATTACK ON A FLAT
TRACK WILL BE SENSATIONAL
If you can picture superbike racing on a
grass track, then you’ll have no trouble at
all imagining what it may look like at the
upcoming 2019 New Zealand Miniature TT
Championships.
Sponsored by Kawasaki NZ and jointly run
by officials from the Patetonga and Huntly
motorcycle clubs, the popular two-day
event on May 4-5 will bring together riders
from all the various dirt bike codes – and
possibly a few road-racers too.
They will converge on a fast and flowing
grassland course at Taupiri, just north of
Hamilton, the same picturesque venue that
was used for the first time last season.
TT racing is like superbike racing on soil
instead of tarmac – the racing is off-road
and the competitors use dirt bikes or quad
bikes, but, unlike motocross, there are no
steep hills or skyward launch ramps to slow
things down.
“The track layout will be similar to
last year’s, but perhaps more free-
flowing. We’re expecting greater entry
numbers too,” said Daniel ‘Gonk’ Bryan,
spokesperson for the combined Huntly and
Patetonga clubs.
The entry list includes the stars of
motocross, cross-country, enduro and even
road-racing, All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and
super motard and they will hit eye-watering
speeds, at full throttle as they chase
national glory.
The farm property at 456 Rutherfurd Road,
Taupiri, has again been made available
by land owner Mark Fuller, who is a
former national enduro and cross-country
frontrunner and the father of rising star on
the road-race scene, teenager Zak Fuller.
It is likely that this father and son duo will
also be racing at the TT nationals. Another
rider who will certainly be worth watching
is Bay of Plenty’s Brad Groombridge, an
expert at motocross, enduro riding, cross-
country and superbike racing too.
The Taupo locksmith won two of the three
bike classes at the TT nationals when they
were staged near Kuratau in 2016, and
that was a virtual repeat of the amazing
success he enjoyed at the same event the
previous season. The nationals skipped a
beat when no land was available in 2017,
but Groombridge was back in action again
last year at Taupiri, this time on board a
2013-model off-road “adventure bike”.
KIWI RIDER 97