    |
 |
|
|
|
2006 International Six Days Enduro
PRESS RELEASE
New Zealand is bracing itself to host the biggest off-road motorcycle event on the planet, the International Six Days Enduro, this November.
Not since the world Superbike championships was raced in New Zealand more than a decade ago has such a high-profile motorcycling event been seen in this country and the man instrumental in seeing that the ISDE, considered by many to be the Olympic Games of the motorcycling world, runs smoothly is Tokoroa legend Sean Clarke.
The 2006 ISDE will be staged in the Kinleith Forest, just north of Taupo, from November 14 to 19.
“It has been overwhelming. There were 750 riders wanting to compete and we have whittled that down. We now have 610 confirmed as officially entered,” said Clarke.
“At the last two ISDE events that I raced in Australia, they had about 450 riders at each of them. There were 120 Aussies, 27 Kiwis and the rest were from elsewhere.
“This year we have 94 New Zealand riders at this event and 73 from Australia, 49 from Britain, 43 from the United States, 28 from Mexico and 25 from Canada, to identify just a few of the larger contingents.”
He said the team from Finland is one of the favourites with big names enduro riders Mika Ahola (Honda), Samuli Aro (KTM), Jari Mattila (Honda), Petri Pohjamo (TM), Juha Salminen (KTM) and Marko Tarkkala (KTM) forming the Finn’s official “Trophy Team”, the No.1 line-up nominated to represent Finland.
New Zealand, too, has a powerful squad for the 2006 ISDE.
The No.1 team, six-rider New Zealand Trophy Team, comprises former world motocross champion Shayne King (New Plymouth), three-time former Australian motocross champion and former motocross world No.2 Darryll King (Hamilton), current Grand Prix motocross star Scott Columb (Queenstown), and international enduro riders Chris Birch (Waimauku), Kevin Archer (Te Awamutu) and Paul Whibley (Pahiatua).
Whibley is currently running fifth in his class after nine rounds of the United States Grand National Cross-country championships.
New Zealand’s No.2 squad, the four-man Junior Trophy Team, is Jason Davis (Whangamata), Michael Phillips (Rotorua), Karl Power (Hamilton) and Adrian Smith (Thames).
Clarke said riders will cover a minimum 1200 kilometres during the week and the course will stretch through the Kinleith Forest, from Taupo to within 10 kilometres of Tokoroa.
“The biggest day will be about 275km, and the final day will only be about 80km, with the rest being about 250km each,” said Clarke.
“It will be mostly rolling countryside and forest tracks. When you've got several hundred bikes going over the same ground, it doesn't take much to make hills impossible. We want to keep everyone going. Don't fear though, it will still be very challenging terrain,” Clarke said.
“Every rider who finishes the event will get an FIM medal, but that’s easier said than done,” said Clarke, with riders likely to spend most of each day in the saddle, battling the elements.
“Sleeping at night won’t be a problem. They’ll be exhausted.”
Clarke said that, to win a gold medal, a rider had to finish within 10 percent of the winner's time in their class (so, if the winner takes 5000 seconds to complete the event, a rider can take no more than 5500 seconds to reach the finish).
Still a top rider but “far too busy with other things to ride” the 2006 event, Clarke himself won ISDE gold medals in 1992 and 1998.
He said that, to win a silver medal, riders must be within 50 percent of the winner of their class and, to win a bronze, all a rider has to do is finish.
He said that, each day, the riders must do a minimum of five special tests and they have to be between three and six kilometres in length.
Aside from the Kiwi riders who take the option to compete, there will be plenty of opportunities for spectators to get a close-up look at the international stars.
“The public will have access to good viewing spots, straight off the main highway. All the special tests and checkpoints will be around the perimeter of the forest. There will be no charge for spectators, except a minimal charge for the final day’s motocross,” said Clarke.
With four separate classes and up to 200 riders in some classes, the motocross action could last most of the final day.
The Taupo Motorsports Park motor-racing circuit, about six kilometres from Taupo's town centre, will be the event’s headquarters. The parc ferme (start-finish area and official bike lock-up area) will also be at the Taupo Motorsports Park.
With an event of this scale, the Taupo region will bristle with motorcycles, their riders, support crews, international media and enthusiasts from all corners of the world.
The event has already put a premium on accommodation, food outlets, bike shops and ancillary services and is expected to bring millions of dollars to the region.
In addition, Clarke said the worldwide focus on New Zealand, its scenery, tourism and the sporting prowess of its motorcycle racers will make November’s big event priceless in terms of showcasing this country.
The ISDE runs from Tuesday, November 14, until Sunday, November 19.
For further information, Email terry@isde06.com or visit www.isde06.com
