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MNZ CEO DELIVERS AGAIN - AS PROMISED WORLD SUPERMOTARD ROUND COMING TO NEW ZEALAND IN 2002 David Appleton, the MNZ CEO, announced today that he has achieved another World Championship milestone. New Zealand has been awarded the final round of the 2002 World Supermotard Championship. David said “New Zealand has been rewarded for persistence in wanting New Zealand on the FIM International/World Championship map. We believe that world championships are only that, if rounds are held at venues outside Europe. With the World Supermotard Championship for 2002 the venues are in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Next year it will include the USA.” “I have negotiated for and been invited to include 10 New Zealand riders in the Australian and New Zealand rounds of the World Championship” David added. When asked if we could find that many riders, David responded “We already have a list of 15 of New Zealand’s top on-road and off-road riders who want to ride the event. These guys will seriously compete with the Europeans.” With the cost structure of the MX Grand Prix being outrageously high, Supermotard is now seen as discipline that will take over in the world standings. It has already has significant following in Europe. Both Australia and New Zealand have won the right to be in at the beginning of this entertaining adventure with Youthstream, the FIM contractual partner. Supermotard is run on a track that is between 0.9 and 1.75kms of which, 70% is on road and 30% off road. David said, “To see the top riders using speedway techniques round fast corners and then transferring onto an off-road track is spectacular – a true spectator mecca. Our arrangement includes bringing the world top 20 Supermotard riders to New Zealand to contest the championship and to ride against the 10 New Zealanders and 10 Aussies also in the event.” David confirmed that the Manawatu region will host the first ever World Supermotard Championship on 17 November 2002.
