When local motocross enthusiast and promoter Dan Shallcrass says there’s quite a lot on, he’s not kidding.
More like full on, starting with dirt bike riders on their vintage machines racing in Marlborough last Saturday and Sunday before a hectic September across the Waimea area.
First up is the mini motocross championships on a track close to the Richmond Park harness raceway this weekend.
More than 50 riders, aged from four to 11, will be battling it out for points over seven races with a 9am start on Saturday.
“It is perfect timing as winter sports have finished and the moisture is good. We have been grooming the track. It is like a BMX track on steroids with jumps, burms and sawdust,” enthuses Dan’s MotoXevents partner Brian Heaphy.
The following weekend, the older brigade rev up for the first of two race meetings on the Dickers property in Waimea West.
“I just happened to come across the venue while working my new job. We used to race and practice there in the 2000’s so I asked the farm manager if we could come back and he was all about it. There are crop paddocks so we will take a machine in and just give the circuit a wee scratch up. It is a super cool to be so close to town as spectators are our biggest asset,” declares Dan.
The Brightwater Community Association will provide catering as part of its fundraising drive for its new facilities.
In between the two race days there, the annual Vin Orr Memorial will be staged for veteran bikes on a short track tucked behind the Commercial Vehicle Centre in Lower Queen Street.
“Vin was a local mechanic for years and heavily involved in motorsport,” says Dan.
October is going to be huge too, with the return of King of the Hill at Mount Heslington in Brightwater, over Labour Weekend, after a break last year.
“It is one of those premier events I don’t like to run unless it is going to be better than the previous year. People have been ringing and asking when it is going to be back on and the landowners were approaching us, too. I think it is our best event because it is action packed and really good to watch,” insists Dan.
