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Each of the teams is filled with an impressive line-up of riders that will be doing their best to keep the Australians out of the medal hunt as they race through native bush, steep farmland, rocky streams and lush rolling paddocks that make up the picturesque West Coast location.
Six-man Oceania Trophy Team This is the elite team: the cream of New Zealand\'s notoriously competitive enduro fraternity. Riders from this team must be entered in four separate classes, and points will only be taken from the top five finishers of this team.
Paul Whibley - Honda CR250 (Pahiatua). Whibley is the current NZ Overall Enduro Champion. At just 21 years old, he is one of New Zealand\'s fastest enduro riders, and consistently wins most special tests outright.
Chris Birch - Kawasaki KDX200 (Waimauku). As the current Expert 0-200cc Enduro Champion and with good enduro experience, Birch is a very talented rider whose consistent and smooth riding style at high speeds has him rated as a strong contender in this class.
Kevin Archer - Suzuki DRZ400E, (Te Kuiti). Kevin Archer is one King Country\'s hometown heroes and is the current NZ Expert 4-stroke Enduro Champion. As a very fast grassland rider and physically strong, Archer\'s good top-level enduro experience and familiarity with the terrain will be a huge advantage to the Kiwi team.
Steven Bird - Suzuki RM250 (Palmerston North). Bird is a former NZ Overall Enduro Champion and finished third overall last season in the National Enduro series. With previous A4DE and ISDE experience, he is a strong team member.
Shayne King - KTM 125 or 520 (New Plymouth). King\'s entry is a big bonus to the New Zealand\'s Oceania Trophy Team. The former World 500cc MX champion rode the 1998 ISDE and last years A4DE in Victoria. Brother Darryl is still an unconfirmed entry to the A4DE, as his wife Darlene is due to give birth to twins around the same time as the Oparau event.
Dene Humphrey - Yamaha WR250 (Auckland). Dene Humphrey is New Zealand\'s fastest four-stroke rider and can prove it with his numerous Expert 0-200cc Enduro Champion titles. He is determined to ride to his best achievement in the Oparau event.
Six-Man Senior Trophy Team
This team must be entered in four different classes and points will only be taken from the top five finishers.
Doug Herbert - KTM300 (New Plymouth). Herbert has proved to be a solid and dependable rider and has ridden enduros for 15 years with previous experience in the 1992 and 1998 ISDE\'s. He showed outstanding pace at the recent Oparau training day.
Paul Wilson - Honda XR250 (Piopio). Wilson is one of New Zealand\'s \'dark horses\' of enduro. He is a long-time cross-country rider and former NZ cross-country champion who showed good speed at the Oparau training day.
Tim Woodwood - Yamaha YZ426 (Hamilton). Now that Woodwood has a bike more suitable to his riding style and several years of New Zealand enduro experience under his belt, he should do well.
Paul Whibley - Honda CR250 (Pahiatua).
Kevin Archer - Suzuki DRZ400E (Te Kuiti).
Adam Youren - Suzuki RM250 (Hawkes Bay). Youren is a strong rider with exceptional stamina, which has seen the former NZ Enduro Champion take multiple 6-Hour and cross-country titles.
Four-man Junior Trophy Team
Members of this team must be under 23 years old and entered in two separate classes. Points will only be taken from the top three finishers of this promising line-up. Brad Graham - Suzuki RM125. Graham is one of New Zealand\'s most promising riders, who shows a good turn of speed on a small bike.
Chris Birch - Kawasaki KDX220 (Waimauku).
Todd Mardon - Kawasaki KX125 (Pukekohe). Mardon has proved he is a good solid rider after several years of riding New Zealand enduros.
Lance Sutton - Kawasaki KLX250. Sutton showed good speed at the Oparau training day and is well supported through sponsorship and event support.
While this event is a trans-Tasman challenge, promotions Manager Mark Davis said anyone could enter. There will be a special Clubmans class giving riders of all skill levels the opportunity to experience the fantastic terrain offered at the Australian Four-Day Enduro.
A 100km loop will be available every day for the Clubmans riders, which is suitable for all levels.
With Suzuki securing the naming rights for the 4-Day and a long list of sponsors like the Otorohanga Development Board, Kiwi Rider magazine, Venture Travel United, Waipa Networks Ltd, www.eatmydirt.com.au, Darbi Accessories, Forbes and Davies Wholesale, the Oparau Garage, and the Oparau Community and Districts Club, the event has so far pulled in $20,000 of sponsorship money.
With two of the three early bird cut-off dates now passed, riders can still get discounts for registering for the Australian 4-Day Enduro before January 1 2001.
