Who's Heading to OZ ?

Sunday will decide

maddix park mx

 

Tokoroa will be turning orange on Sunday as over 60 bikes converge on the South Waikato Club’s track for NZ’s first Junior KTM Cup.

Jeff Leisk (KTM Australia) and Cannon Smith (CMR Racing) put the programme together and hope it will one day become an event on the international stage.

Cannon is very happy with the entries but would still accept some more - as long as they are orange, of course.  

 

Riders are coming from all over the country, from Whangarei in the north to Blenheim in the deep south. The minis and juniors will be racing in 6 classes and competition is sure to be super fierce.  Why?  Because, as well as the usual prizes and trophies, the first place-getter in each class wins entry, with a KTM supplied, to the Australian Junior Nationals in Adelaide in October!  Who wouldn’t want to prove their worth?  But please note, the winners do have to organise their own entries and travel etc to the Australian round.

“The event is part of a worldwide push by KTM to promote the orange brand,” Patrick Stafford from KTM NZ tells us. “KTM have been very pro-active of late and no doubt benefited from the unfortunate restrained circumstances endured by the Japanese brands. However, the success of Cairoli (KTM350) and Roczen (KTM 250), in particular, both standout figures on the European MX scene this season, has kept the KTM profile high. The Junior KTM Cup is already an event overseas but having one here in NZ has created keen interest and dealers have picked up some sales, especially in the 50-65cc range, directly because of it.”

There are rumours of a bit of bike borrowing going on but there are plenty of loyal KTM stalwarts in the Bay of Plenty. Some of the local KTM riders likely to compete on Sunday include Aaron Wiltshier, Trent Duggan, Sam Meredith (pictured above on his younger brother's bike), Harrison Forrester-Moore and Alex and Luke Fraser-BrownJacob Hunt had intended to race but has been forced to withdraw because of a severe case of flu.

Aaron was lucky enough to benefit from another of this year’s KTM initiatives when he attended a 2 day coaching camp at Tui Ridge under Glen McDonald & John Appel, with track work at Tokoroa.  It was serious stuff according to Aaron. Lots of focus on fitness with a 6km morning run followed by 75 press ups. 11am-5pm was spent at the track which was pretty muddy and still covered with ice when the riders arrived.  Lots of focus there on “ruts” and “starts”.

Even though the programme on Sunday is all about young riders, there will also be a special Invitation Vets Race –KTMs only, of course - with an appearance by Shane King.

It is certain to be a great day for all the riders and the orange sun is forecast to be coming to the party as well.  Fingers crossed.

Organizers, Cannon Smith and Martin Collins, would like to thank all their sponsors, namely  KTM, CMR Racing, Red Bull, Alpine Stars, Shift, Dragon, Motorex, Bridgestone & Shoei.

For more information on the Junior KTM Cup, contact Cannon Smith 027 2655 778 or [email protected] .

 
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