Mercer makes history as NZ moto champs Host.

**Firefight** · 11th August 2006, 07:54

Not sure if this should be here or in Biker News(mod can more if needed)

From Franklin County News, thursday 10 August, FCN sport section.

The first round of the NZ Motocross Championship on August 26 & 27 has been moved from Mr Motorcycles Raceway in Harrisville to the sand based track at Mercer track.

In what is a special moment for local fans,it will be the first sand track NZ championship in history.

The Pukekohe Motorcycle Club, host of this years event, has decided to change venues to avoid risking cancellation should wet weather adversley affect Harrisville.

Scott Wilkins, (KB Member Scott411) president of the Pukekohe motorcycle club , says that in spite of the move,Harrisville is still regarded as the districts premier motocross circut. "Mr Motorcycles Raceway at Harrsiville will always be our # one track, however the soil does not lead to wet weather racing and in August wet weather is very possible" he say's.

"We decided that Mercer is a very good option for this time of the year".

"We are doing some work there(Harrisville) at the moment to build the facility to be even better,and we plan to run a bigger version of the AK champ's in March, complete with TV coverage.

"We needed to lengthen Mercer and make it wider in some areas to meet the national level.

"This work has been planned and will take place in the next few weeks.

"We will also need to keep grooming durning the day to keep the track in check.

Mercer is only one of five sand tracks in NZ and once the work in complete, will be the only one in NZ up to National standard.

Sand tracks generally have fewer jumps and are tricker to traverse, thus the fastest rider is not always the best.

"I think the older riders will be the fore a bit more as technique and toughness play more on rough tracks"says Wilkins.

article written by Garrick Knight.

good oppurtunity to thank Scott for all the work he does for Motorcross and off road riding. Good on you mate.

Firefight.

**Motu** · 11th August 2006, 08:23

Well that's good news,move it up in statis from ''that other track''.The sand is pretty intersting to ride,saps power and speed,but allows big cornering speeds,they can lay the bike in real deep and do big slides coming out.Not that I've ever ridden the track above walking pace....Last time I was down there,some club dudes were looking at the track,waving arms,pointing at things and talking a lot...might of been the begining of ''what can we do to improve the track.'' And right on SH1 too,I mean,how could the public get lost getting to the meeting?

**Danger** · 11th August 2006, 08:37

I think you posted in the right place. This is where us dirt bikers hang out. Thanks for the info.

**GR81** · 11th August 2006, 09:06

who is keen to go and watch?

**scott411** · 11th August 2006, 10:42

thanks for the priase,

this will be an awesome event to watch as the cornerspeed these guys will run will be amazing,

i will give 2 free passes to the 1st 2 guys that send me a pm with your postal address on it, see you thier

**Danger** · 11th August 2006, 10:52

Sent. Thanks mate.

**scott411** · 11th August 2006, 10:54

all done guys that was quick

**Boosted** · 11th August 2006, 11:40

DAMIT! haha send me 2 aswell

GR81 and I are keen to go watch

**cheese** · 11th August 2006, 15:06

Bugger it!!! didn't check here often enough. Dam work!

**Boosted** · 11th August 2006, 15:09

haha thanks FF and Scott

looking forward to going now

hehe

**Brian d marge** · 11th August 2006, 15:42

Originally Posted by scott411

thanks for the priase,

this will be an awesome event to watch as the cornerspeed these guys will run will be amazing,

i will give 2 free passes to the 1st 2 guys that send me a pm with your postal address on it, see you thier

Tsuresehagashi Saitama 3540025

Stephen
Good work that man

**oldguy** · 11th August 2006, 20:56

Originally Posted by scott411

thanks for the priase,

this will be an awesome event to watch as the cornerspeed these guys will run will be amazing,

i will give 2 free passes to the 1st 2 guys that send me a pm with your postal address on it, see you thier

Damit don't have internet at work sucks.