One week to the NZ Senior MX Nationals

Friday 11 February: Big changes such as only 30 qualifiers for MX1, MX2 and 125cc. Back to 20 minute races plus 2 laps and the introduction of MX3 for the top 40 non qualifiers from all classes.

The move to hold the New Zealand Nationals in late Summer / Autumn to align with the Australian dates was a controversial one. Kevin Williams of Williams Event Management (WEM), is the Series Director and the Promoter of the Australian Motocross Championships for the Under 19’s, Pro Lites and Pro Open classes.

In New Zealand, Motorcycling NZ manage the overall series but the four Motocross Clubs involved run the events.The problem was nobody from MNZ spoke to Kevin Williams and he set his Aussie dates. When it was revealed there was a clash of two dates he quickly moved to change one of his, provided NZ move one of their's. The dates are:

20 February NZ Round 1 Timaru
27 February NZ Round 2 Patetonga
13 March Aust Round 1 Broadford VIC
20 March NZ Round 3 Rotorua
27 March NZ Round 4 New Plymouth
03 April Aust Round 2 Appin NSW
10 April Aust Round 3 Raymond Terrace NSW
08 May Aust Round 4 Murray Bridge SA
22 May Aust Round 5 Toowoomba QLD
19 June Aust Round 6 Coonabarabran NSW
03 July Aust Round 7 Wodonga VIC
24 July Aust Round 8 Moree NSW
30/31July Aust Round 9 Coolum QLD

There has been several key changes.

1) When I printed the Entry Form and Supplementary Regulations on Sunday morning, this line in sub-heading 5 was not there. "There will be a 30 gate start in MX 1, MX 2 and 125cc."

The 30 minute (plus 2 laps) race duration has reverted to 20 minutes and back to 3 races.
MX 1 / MX 2 / 125cc Three 20 Minute + 2 Lap Races
MX 3 Three 12 Minute + 1 Lap Races

2) MX3 I hear you say ???? Those riders not qualifying (in any of the three Classes) will move to the MX 3 Class, provided their best lap time is within the top 40 of that class. Should you not make the top 40 in the MX 3 there will be no further racing for you and no refund will be provided. There will be no accumulated points for the MX3 Class, as each event is a stand alone meeting, where riders may or may not qualify.

What does this mean? At Woodville there was 64 entries in MX2. If only 30 had qualified, that would mean 34 go through to qualify for MX3’s top 40. In MX1 they had 35, and 125cc had 36. That’s a total of 51, so under the new National's rule 11 riders would have 'gone home'. It won’t be a problem at Timaru but I suggest it may be at the North Island Rounds.

3) Great news for all riders, especially after the complaints post Woodville, is the 3 laps of practice and then into green flag qualifying – total elapsed time of 30 minutes.

Key points of interest:

Timaru entries close today. You can enter online. Late fee is $100 and subject to the discretion of the Organiser.
Riders such as Josh Coppins and Cody Cooper are doing both Nationals for their respective factory teams.
Moto-Media has no information on any Australians attending NZ’s.
Daryl Hurley - Action Suzuki - has entered the series and riding MX2.
Damien King is back to full race fitness having delayed his shoulder operation. He will be riding MX2 for MX DK Rockstar Yamaha.
Veteran rider Tony Cooksley has entered Timaru in MX2 on his YZ250 2-stroke - of course !