The 2014 Huka Honda MX Fest at Taupo
All Roads Lead to Taupo for MX Fest
by Andy McGechan | www.BikesportNZ.com
October 13, 2014
It is already one of the premier events on New Zealand’s motocross calendar and now it’s set to get even bigger.
The traditional annual Labour Weekend motocross in Taupo once again looms large as the first major hit-out of the new
season for New Zealand’s motocross elite and this year it has undergone both a name change and a radical revamp as well.
World, national and provincial titles count for nothing, international credentials are likely to be challenged and past
loyalties go out the window as the new season brings forward fresh and exciting match-ups at the Huka Honda MX Fest at
Taupo over both the Saturday and Sunday of Labour Weekend, October 25-26.
Now in its 29th year, the popular Taupo event is again likely to attract riders in their hundreds and spectators in
their thousands, with the race programme, as usual, featuring mini, junior and women riders on Saturday and senior and
veteran racers on Sunday, but with an exciting new track layout.
The event offers more than $15,000 in prizemoney and will this year also features a “whip competition” with visiting
American rider Brett Cue leading the way.
The programme this year has also been extended well into Saturday night as Bay of Plenty’s former world and American
champion Ben Townley introduces New Zealand’s first official Speedcross event.
“This is going to be huge,” said Townley. “It will be the biggest thing in New Zealand this year. It will be exactly 12
months since we first introduced the concept at the Taupo track last October and now we’re having the first official
Speedcross event in New Zealand.”
In addition to Townley and Cue, the line-up for Saturday evening’s Speedcross event is expected to include Kiwi
internationals Josh Coppins, of Motueka, Rotorua’s John Phillips, Queenstown’s Scott Columb, Taupo’s Brad Groombridge,
Elsthorpe’s Kieran Scheele, Hamilton’s Josiah Natzke and Dargaville’s Hamish Dobbyn, along with high-profile national
championship contenders Campbell King, of Dunedin, Paraparaumu’s Jesse Donnelly and Hamilton’s Jesse Wiki.
The following day is reserved for senior motocross racing and this will be “shake off the cobwebs” time for all the
leading race teams as they build towards the start of the four-round nationals, starting in New Plymouth in February.
The Honda Shop Racing Team will be there is force with Phillips and their new signing from Tauranga, Aaron Wiltshier;
the Bel Ray Pro Rider Suzuki Team will have Groombridge, King and new signing from Te Puke, Logan Blackburn, waving the
flag; The Altherm JCR Yamaha Team will feature Coppins, Columb and Waitakere’s Ethan Martens, while the CMR Red Bull KTM
Team will have a presence with Natzke and Dobbyn. Kawasaki New Zealand will have Donnelly, Scheele, Auckland’s Sam
Greenslade and Ngatea’s Luke Temple in charge of their high profile.
A trio of visiting American riders will feature in the junior ranks – 16-year-old Maryland rider Cameron Dowell, Georgia
14-year-old Gage McBee and another Georgia rider in 12-year-old Ezra Parker.
Action over the two days also features races for junior and mini class riders, as well as catering for women and veteran
class racers.
ENDS