healthy at this grassroots level . The mini nationals is considered a nursery ground for those starting out in motocross and who knows where that might lead . Taranaki ’ s Shayne King , who was the 500cc motocross world champion in 1996 , is one man who knows better than most and , as he looked over the racing at Tokoroa that weekend , remarked , “ This is where world champions are made . These are the first steps on the pathway to becoming a world motocross or supercross champion . “ At the mini motocross nationals they ’ re all young , they ’ re learning , the sport is exciting and everyone turns up with the big trailers , the atmosphere is buzzing , the track is amazing and you can measure yourself against all the best rising stars in the country . “ Riders come here from all parts of the country , the North Island and the South Island , and the turn-out is probably even bigger than the senior nationals . “ I never had a chance to ride the minis when

Levi McMaster

KIWI RIDER 23