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FEBRUARY 15, 2007: Dust off your helmet and boots and kick the old beast into life.
There is simply no excuse now for not giving the sport a go now that the Top Trail Rider Enduro Series has been re-introduced for the 2007 season and it kicks off this weekend at Makara, near Wellington.
The 2007 TTR enduro series, ideal for entry-level dirt bikers, covers the length and breadth of the North Island, features some of the most picturesque and rugged terrain New Zealand has to offer, and promises to cater for all ages and abilities.
Featuring two parallel but separate series -- the six-round Yamaha Central Enduro Series and five-round Yamaha Northern Enduro Series -- the two competitions kick off in February and March respectively and the series co-ordinators, Palmerston North’s Steven Bird and Auckland’s Shaun Stanbridge, said the main focus was to encourage novice and first-timer riders to participate.
The two Yamaha-sponsored TTR enduro series will also appeal to the expert and intermediate grade riders but Stanbridge said he was convinced an increasing number of novice riders will be tempted to give it a go this time. In addition, there are categories for youth and veteran riders.
“I was amazed recently just how many riders are turning up for charity trail rides. Here were 930 bikes at one I attended recently. The demand for a series like this is obvious.
“The TTR series will run independently from the national championships series, with emphasis on low-stress, good time rides.
“The events will be ideal for club riders to try out enduro racing without the stress associated with the elite level of the sport,” said Stanbridge.
He said motorcycling in general and dirt biking in particular is riding the crest of a popularity wave, in the wake of this country hosting the International Six Days Enduro for the first time in November, and he predicts the upswing in bike sales will be reflected by numbers turning up at the two series venues.
“It’s a chance to race your mates on a fairly easy course,” said Stanbridge.
He said there was an added bonus for riders in the Northern series where a Yamaha TTR230 would be offered to one lucky entrant to ride for the day.
Stanbridge will co-ordinate the TTR Northern Series and Palmerston North’s Steven Bird will co-ordinate the TTR Central Series.
The two series are sponsored by Yamaha, Kiwi Rider magazine, Acerbis, Mitas and supported by Motorcycling New Zealand.
