Media Release


The David and Goliath of the Central Plateau Scooter Challenge

It is going to be a repeat battle of David and Goliath when Terena Currey (Wanganui) and Alan Thoresen (Hamilton) join forces again for the Central Plateau Scooter Challenge on March 16th.

Terena, the event organiser, may have the advantage this year driving a 50cc Honda moped car. And while Alan rode his 1400cc “Black Thunder II” Kawasaki beast in 2011, he will be attending on a more modest 50cc ride for 2013 Challenge.

The journey will certainly be a change of pace for Alan Thoresen, who is the current 2012 NZ Drag Racing Champion and is the king of the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. He holds the record of 198.702 miles per hour on Black Thunder, his 1650cc motorcycle.

While the event is not a race, the Central Plateau Scooter Challenge is an endurance ride from Wanganui to Taupo that crosses the summit of the Rangipo Desert (1074m)a journey of over 270kms to raise money for the Child Cancer Foundation during the Foundation’s National Appeal month.

The purpose of the inaugural event is to raise awareness and funds for the children with cancer and their families. Three children are diagnosed with cancer in New Zealand each week and collectively undergo a total of 75,000 treatments and procedures each year.

Each child and their family have a dedicated Child Cancer Foundation Family Support Coordinator for their entire cancer journey. The Foundation receives no funding from the government or from any other cancer charities.

Terena became motivated to support the Foundation after a friend of a sick child told her about the support that the Child Cancer Foundation had given her.

"The idea," says Terena, "is for a group of scooterists to ride from Wanganui to Taupo on 50cc scooters. Anyone can take part in the Challenge although I would prefer it if the scooters were as small as possible. It is after all a Challenge!"

Terena is hoping to better the $35,000 raised and the number of riders that attended in the 2011 ride. “There are already over 50 interested riders who have registered an interest in participating in 2013, so that’s great news so early on”.

The ride will leave from Wanganui at 7.30am on March 16th, and pass through, Turakina, Bulls, Hunterville, Mangaweka, Taihape, Waiouru, Rangipo Summit, Turangi, Hatepe, finishing in Taupo.

To support the event visit http://www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/CentralPlateauScooterChallenge
For further information see http://www.centralplateauscooterchallenge.co.nz

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