DIRT NEWS

Championships season is still a few weeks away now from kick-off , but already the motorcycling community is starting to fizz with eager anticipation . With Yamaha Motor New Zealand coming on board as naming-rights sponsor , Motorcycling New Zealand has already ticked off a key element in its preparations for the four-round national series , due to begin near Rotorua on February 3 , 2024 . The organisation can now focus on getting it all set-up and polished for another jam-packed programme of top-class racing . Yamaha Motor New Zealand General Manager Alan Petrie says it is great to be partnering with Motorcycling New Zealand again . “ We last sponsored the New Zealand Motocross Championships in 2020 and given the suitability of our Yamaha motorcycle range to motocross racing and our commitment to fostering the stars of the future , we are thrilled to be back on board .” In addition to Yamaha , other key financial backers for the upcoming season include Fox , Pirelli , Alpinestars and Motomuck , offering support to the popular annual series . The 2024 Yamaha New Zealand Senior Motocross Championships will also see the YZ65 Cup races for juniors staged as a component of the Pukekohe-based third round of the senior series , at Harrisville , on March 23 . Yamaha Motor New Zealand Motorsport Manager Josh Coppins said , “ We are really excited to have that class running again . “ It shows Yamaha ’ s commitment to the series and the sport through providing the pathway for our bLU cRU riders to start at the grass roots level and that ’ s where the YZ65 Cup is so important . “ It ’ s exciting to have Yamaha involved and contributing to the sport in general . It ’ s important that we work together with the federation and the clubs to lift the level of the championship and help where needed . “ Thanks to Yamaha for stepping up and we are looking forward to seeing our great branding track side from February .” Motorcycling New Zealand motocross commissioner Sonia Cloke , from Taranaki , said she was thrilled to be able to report the sponsorship backing for the series .

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