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MARCH 16, 2010: Gravity-defying acts of courage and skill on a motorcycle -- there is perhaps no better way to describe the antics of New Zealand's elite trials riders.
And this weekend marks the start of a new season for this special breed of sports person as rounds one and two of the Beta Novogar North Island Moto Trails Championships kick off in Taranaki.
The two-day affairs starts on Clement's property on Wirimu Road, Opunake, on Saturday, sending competitors over a challenging course that features steep hill climbs, tree roots and through a bush section.
Day two on Sunday is scheduled for Smith's property, on Upper Dudley Road, Inglewood, with a rocky creek bed the main obstacle for riders.
The rider expected to stand out over the two days is current national expert grade champion Jake Whitaker, of Wainuiomata, while Motueka's Karl Clark and seven-time former national champion Warren Laugesen, of Levin, will surely keep him honest.
Ashhurst's Kevin Pinfold and Nelson's Peter Oliver will be hard to beat in the A grade, although Tauranga's Peter Shilton and Dunedin's Blake Fox, in his first year in the A grade, could be expected to threaten. Wellington's Carl Robson and Taranaki's Matt Foster should also be in the running for A grade honours.
Intermediate riders, presidents grade, clubmen and juniors are also catered for, as well as a new social grade that has been created this year.
Event organiser Grant McEwen said the new social grade was a bid to give younger or novice riders somewhere to compete and get them more closely involved in the sport.
"Trials riding is a real family affair," said McEwen.
"There are plenty of cases where mums and dads, sons and daughters and even grandparents compete on the same day. The Gundry family from Tauranga is a fine example of this. The Gundry children, Gabrielle and Jacob, ride alongside their dad, Kevin, while grandfather Mike also competes.
"It's a sport that involves all ages and abilities. We have riders as young as eight and as old as 88."
The eight-round series next heads to Hawke's Bay for rounds three and four on April 17-18, with rounds five and six set for Hamilton on June 19-20 and, finally, the series will wrap up with rounds seven and eight in the Bay of Plenty region on September 25-26.
