2012 Honda International Motocross GP

Let's have a look at the bigger MX event's attendance by the riders.

• Last October's Extravaganza entries were down on previous years.
  
• November's Auckland Champs, with a last minute burst, had more than 2010 which was the Oceania. 
  
• Summercross had a total of 515 entries.  They had excellent spectator numbers.
  
• Last weekend's Valley Champs was low on numbers. 
  
• MNZ's media says; "With more than 700 riders expected to race over the weekend..."  but I only counted 497 last night. The 16 in the River Race are also riding other classes.  (Source: www.voxy.co.nz  - Tue 24 Jan)

What is interesting is to compare the three big MX events of the year. 

• Taupo's Extravaganza is over Labour Weekend and a welcomed break after Winter. It's a MNZ permitted event.
  
• Summercross is Summer holiday time between Christmas and New Year. A Dirt Bike Federation event (i.e. non MNZ sanctioned) and always very well attended. 
• Woodville is Anniversary Weekend for those in the Upper North Island but it's big attraction is it's official MNZ Grand Prix tag.  It's a track that is only ridden once a year - more challenging than open terrain.
  
• All 3 events call on a Central North Island base of plenty of riders. 

       Extravaganza                 Summercross               Woodville GP (as at 24th)
       95 Seniors                       139 Seniors                    198  Seniors  (55 in MX2 and 52 in Support Under - 25 in Support Over)
       29 Vets                             50  Vets                           35  Vets
      111 Juniors                      174 Juniors                     168  Juniors
       19 Women                        26 Women                      21  Women
       87 Minis                          126 Minis                          75  Minis
                                                                                        16 River Race (most riding other classes so not in the total) 
     341 Total                           515 Total                        497  Total

 

We can't complain about the quality in amongst Woodville's 36 x MX1 riders.  Ben Townley has only ever ridden once at Woodville and it was in mud albeit without the title.  Josh Coppins should be close to full form and he's won it five times previously.  Cody Cooper too, is in full fitness. Australian star Tye Simmonds who rode in the AMA Outdoors last season will also be there.  Don't discount Justin McDonald either - he won it in 2010.  To call the podium is difficult because riders only have to drop one race and they're in big trouble points wise.

Woodville's timing is perfect for the new timing of the NZ MX Nationals as it provides riders with an ideal race pace build-up.

The return of Queenstown's Scott Columb to the MX2 ranks is welcomed.  It's a star line-up of 55 entries and guaranteed to be near the front is 43 year old Darryll King. 

NZ's OMA and GNCC star Paul Whibley is nothing less than spectacular in Woodville's River Race.  It usually signals his departure back to the United States.