Brand New Taupo 4 Hour "Saturday 22 August "

[Gravel911]

So who's keen to give this ago?

Looks like it could be a good event.

There is a brand new race event on the motorcycle calendar and it is aiming to go big in year one. Epic Events has been running heaps of top quality trail rides since 2000 and is now changing up a gear to run Taupo's first 4 hour motorcycle endurance race.

Taupo is the home of the biggest endurance sport races in NZ including the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge (over 10,000 cyclists), the Mizuno Half Marathon (over 3,000 runners/walkers) and one of the toughest races - the Bonita Ironman. So it is fitting that there will now be a motorcycle endurance race added to the busy calendar.

Scheduled for Saturday 22 August this 4 hour will be open to individuals or teams of 2.

Comments from Nick Reader: "I am really excited to be putting on our first ever Endurance race. Back in the old days when I raced, these are the sort of events I enjoyed. The nervous wait at the start line, the boom of a shot gun start, 400 riders funneling into one holeshot turn, picking your path on the first lap, staying mentally focused and pushing your body to the limit past the 3 hour mark to stay on the gas, then a massive feeling of accomplishment when you cross the finish line".

The track will be around 30km long and will be created on some of the best pumice terrain that Taupo has to offer. So this means no mud and a fun track that will hold up for the entire race. The exact venue will be confirmed at a later date, but it will be within 15 minutes of Taupo. The course will be constructed to the same high level as Epic trail rides and will include berms, jumps, drops and climbs all with great flow.

The goal is to include a grass MX style section in the lap to provide fun for the riders and entertainment for the spectators.
This event aims to sit alongside the classic NZ motorcycle endurance races including the Tarawera 100 and Suzuki 6 Hour.
$1000 cash will be paid to the winning rider or team across the line so there will be good motivation to push that little bit harder for the win. There will also be over $2000 of product prizes awarded to place getters and as spot prizes drawn at random.

The plan is to start the race at 11am with sign on at 8am.
The event will be competitive with accurate timing and results, but will also suit more social riders. Riders that are not aiming for a top overall finish can start on the 2nd row. Prize giving will be held at the Shed bar in Taupo with videos of the event on show, meals and heaps of spot prizes from MotoSR, DRD, Camelbak and Spectro.

The Taupo 4 hour takes place in August which is the ‘off season' for most motorcycle codes. Riders are expected from the National Enduro, Cross Country and Motocross scene with trail riders stepping up too. History shows that Motocross riders tend to win this style of event, however there are some very fast Enduro and Cross Country riders around at the moment so it will be a good battle of the disciplines.

It will be very interesting to see whether an individual or team of 2 take out the overall. 4 hours is achievable for a very fit rider to be ‘on the hammer' the whole distance. However a team of 2 gun riders should have a fitness advantage.

Full information will be at http://www.epicevents.co.nz/ Entries will be taken on line.

[vazza]

Yep very keen

[ajturbo]

could put knobblies on the buell for a laugh.....

i know of a GN250 with knobblies....

[G-R-I-M]

Ive already signed up

[Boosted]

ill prob be coming down on the roadbike for a watch if the weather is good :)

[theblacksmith]

Im all entered and signed up as well.

[vazza]

Im all entered and signed up as well.

yeeeeeeeeeep!

[flyingcr250]

yeeeeeeeeeep!

theres no backing out for me now! im in:Punk:

[vazza]

Haha sweet bro ill seu down there! Suprised theres noone else doin it. Chop going?

[flyingcr250]

Haha sweet bro ill seu down there! Suprised theres noone else doin it. Chop going?

yea man cant wait. jt119 was going but i think he piked ha ha ha (just joking turnbull)

[flyingcr250]

woooohooo! this is gunna be epic.

"ENTRIES
Entries are now closed. On Wednesday at 10pm there were 325 entrants including 110 Ironmen."

[vazza]

110 iron men. Nice. Leaving at 5am Saturday morning! =D

[flyingcr250]

110 iron men. Nice. Leaving at 5am Saturday morning! =D

Suzuki Four hour
Final information for riders.
From Nick Reader 20 August 09

Hey well we have 330 entrants which is brilliant for year one of the event. One News reckons there will be sunshine all day which is cool too. We have some very fast riders in the mix including these teams; Karl Power/Jason Davis, Chris Power/Heath Howlett, Brad Groombridge/Rennie Johnston, Nick Saunders/Rhys Carter.

Stepping up to Ironman are Adrian Smith, Rory Meade, Steven Bird and Greg Ngeru. In total there are 110 Ironmen and Iron Woman- good on ya! - We have some Red Bull to give you wings!

I think there are at least a handful of Iron men and teams that could take the overall and the $1000 so that is going to make it an interesting race.

Stuff you need to know;
The track is 25km long. This includes 2.5km of farm paddock track that is heaps of fun to ride.
The course is fairly open, but with a good mix of bush trail. Fitness will count at the end.
The start will be dead engines and hands on rear mudguards.
First in, first served on the start line.
There will be about 3-4 rows of bikes.
Pit speed is first gear and slow and will be enforced.
Refueling must be done only in the pits
Rider changes can only be done in the pits.
Riders can have assistance in the pits including refueling.
Walk the first 1.5km of grass land so you are familiar with the track.
You can put up a tent in the pit area, but can not park your vehicle or a trailer in the pits. However the rider's car park is right next to the pits so if you get to the event early, then you can park as close as 5 metres from your tent.
Everyone must stay off the track during the race.
You may place your fire extinguisher on your bike or carry it on you.
If you cheat or break any rules we will add 2-30 minutes to your time or disqualify you.
Near the end of the lap there is a ramp jump option over a fence or a gate option. This is not a big jump, but is also not suitable for novices. Taking the gate option will take an extra 5 seconds per lap.
Neil Ritchie (Turbo Sounds) is coming to the event to add some music, commentary and atmosphere.
All riders must complete registration, but only one rider needs to pick up the transponder.
Female teams will have one transponder and if using 2 bikes, will have to swap the transponder over when changing bikes.
The location is 10 minutes from the Taupo lake front on the Taupo - Napier road. From Taupo, it is on the right side of the road. We have graveled the paddock lane so there should be no traction issues.
'H Contracting' has built the grass track and graveled the vehicle entrance with a 4.5 tonne Mustang Mini Loader. 'H' is the man when it comes to earthmoving and can be contacted on 0272 741125.



We have increased the prizes and trophies.

Trophies will now awarded to all class winners. 18 trophies in total for the 6 Ironmen classes and 6 Team classes. In addition there are 3 large trophies for the first Ironman overall and first team overall.

Prizes for the top 10 and Spot prizes include:
itemquantityvalue
$1,000.00 $1000
EZ Up Speed shelter $800
EZ Up Dome 2 shelter $249
EZ Up Dome 2 shelter $249
CamelBaks11$1100
Sidi Sox5$125
Spectro Chain Lube24$288
DRD magazine annual subscriptions5$530
4 play experience including Helicopter flight, bungee jump, sky dive and jet boat.1$600
Chris Jolly Taupo boat cruise for 4 people1$600
Suzuki Jackets4$400
Total prize value $5941.00


You must be at the Shed Bar by 7pm and attend prize giving to collect any prizes.

Schedule
Friday 21 August 2009
5:30-9pm Registration and pick up transponder at Daryl August motorcycles, 78-80 Tuwharetoa St, Taupo.

Saturday 22 August 2009
8:00am Gates open to event
8:00am Registration at event (can also pick up transponder now)
10:30amRegistration ends
11:00amRACE START
3:00pmRace finish
6:00pmDinner and drinks at the Shed Bar, Tuwharetoa St, Taupo
7:00pmPrize giving at the Shed Bar.


InformationEntries: Contact Jodie Davis: 021 1873074. admin@epicevents.co.nz
General enquiries: Contact Nick Reader 021 983 766 nick@epicevents.co.nz www.epicevents.co.nz

[kezzafish]

ANYONE FROM WELLI (OR NEAR) GOING UP WITH A SPARE SEAT FOR A PHOTOGRAPHER??? PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAASE HOPEFULLY CAPS WILL GET ME noticed

[flyingcr250]

mate what an event it was simply the best race i have ever entered, the track was perfect, sign on was easy, you got a beer from a hot piece at the end of the race, i managed to get in 6 laps in the 4 hours, im definitely going back next year, was well worth the 80 odd dollars

[scott411]

got a report from my business partiner, said it was pretty cool,

Nick Saunders/Rhys Carter won, from Sam Greenslade who was iron man and lead most of the race

[vazza]

Have to say that was the best race I've ever done. Very very good. Think I got 7 laps in. Still waiting to see the results. Didnt know my 250 could go that fast! haha, so used to the tight stuff!!

[flyingcr250]

Have to say that was the best race I've ever done. Very very good. Think I got 7 laps in. Still waiting to see the results. Didnt know my 250 could go that fast! haha, so used to the tight stuff!!

the results were up last night, mylaps.com

[Rupe]

the results were up last night, mylaps.com

well done for getting down there and doing it, looks like you didn't have any bike problems this time.

Good times again Vazza, you did well in your class.

4hrs is a long time, I couldn't do 3hrs lol. What are you guys doing to help out with fitness inbetween riding?

[flyingcr250]

well done for getting down there and doing it, looks like you didn't have any bike problems this time.

Good times again Vazza, you did well in your class.

4hrs is a long time, I couldn't do 3hrs lol. What are you guys doing to help out with fitness inbetween riding?

honestly i dont do any running or gym work, i just get out and ride every weekend. (one of the perks of being a loser with no missus or mates :laugh:) one thing i do, do is i dont stop when i get tired, i keep going even when your legs are cramping and your arms dont work properly, ive found it makes the "riding" muscles you use stronger.

[vazza]

well done for getting down there and doing it, looks like you didn't have any bike problems this time.

Good times again Vazza, you did well in your class.

4hrs is a long time, I couldn't do 3hrs lol. What are you guys doing to help out with fitness inbetween riding?

Cheers mate. Felt I had a pretty consistant race. Umm, I run about 3 times a week doing about 7k. I run myself to the ground each time I do it( the hills kill me). I find it helps a lot. I found even after that 4 hours that I still could have done a couple more laps, was weird. Sore as today though! Also when out at the sandpit practise going hard for 2.5 hours straight no rests etc. Works for me! =D

It's annoying how they dont give you the solo overall. I worked it out, came 26th overall for solo. I think 110 entered that. Came 76th overall for the whole race. Was so demanding man. Hand slipped off the grips quite afew times couldnt hold on tight enough lol.

How did you do Steve? Was a sick race eh? Tap out the 300 :D?

EDIT: Keen for some photos to!! There were heaps of people taking them

[flyingcr250]

Cheers mate. Felt I had a pretty consistant race. Umm, I run about 3 times a week doing about 7k. I run myself to the ground each time I do it( the hills kill me). I find it helps a lot. I found even after that 4 hours that I still could have done a couple more laps, was weird. Sore as today though! Also when out at the sandpit practise going hard for 2.5 hours straight no rests etc. Works for me! =D

It's annoying how they dont give you the solo overall. I worked it out, came 26th overall for solo. I think 110 entered that. Came 76th overall for the whole race. Was so demanding man. Hand slipped off the grips quite afew times couldnt hold on tight enough lol.

How did you do Steve? Was a sick race eh? Tap out the 300 :D?

EDIT: Keen for some photos to!! There were heaps of people taking them

153thrd overall,not bad for my riding skill level lol, had to stop to look after an injured rider for about 10 minutes, yea had the 300 opened right out on a couple of the road sections, huge head shake!!. im not sore at all which im real suprised about. im even going riding today:headbang:, id be keen for some photos aswell i got snapped quite a few times.
i had a couple of hairy moments too lol

[jt119]

153thrd overall,not bad for my riding skill level lol, had to stop to look after an injured rider for about 10 minutes, yea had the 300 opened right out on a couple of the road sections, huge head shake!!. im not sore at all which im real suprised about. im even going riding today:headbang:, id be keen for some photos aswell i got snapped quite a few times.
i had a couple of hairy moments too lolyou seem to get snapped on every ride sounds like it was good what was the mx parts like

[flyingcr250]

you seem to get snapped on every ride sounds like it was good what was the mx parts like

pretty tame, no big jumps:sleep:, but there was a ramp jump over a fence which was good fun

[vazza]

153thrd overall,not bad for my riding skill level lol, had to stop to look after an injured rider for about 10 minutes, yea had the 300 opened right out on a couple of the road sections, huge head shake!!. im not sore at all which im real suprised about. im even going riding today:headbang:, id be keen for some photos aswell i got snapped quite a few times.
i had a couple of hairy moments too lol

Nice! Was the dude all good? Headshake eh? Glad I got my steering dampner! Didnt get any of that :P! Riding today! Keen guy lol

[Rupe]

Nice! Was the dude all good? Headshake eh? Glad I got my steering dampner! Didnt get any of that :P! Riding today! Keen guy lol

Any other races comming up worth doing? (other than the 2-man)

[vazza]

Umm. I'm going to start doing the mercer races which they have twice a month. It's like motocross but they dont have hardout gnarly jumps. It's real good speed training. A friend of mine caleb van dragt does them and hes one of the top riders in NZ, he reckons they're the best training to get real fast =D So i'll be doing them every other weekend. For $20 you get 3x25min races against maybe 10 other dudes. Will be heaps of fun.

Other than the 2man theres the GNCC series starting later on in the year, will be doing all 5 of that. Looking forward to it. Also M3DE ( Maramarua 3 Day Enduro ), which will be amazing. Got international riders coming n stuff. That's in December 4/5/6 I think.

Also the Huka Honda Hare Scramble which is on the 6th of september in Taupo. 3H XC. Might do that, I dont know. Quite far to travel. Will have to see ^_^ Oh and the hawksbay 6hour XC which I will definatly be doing id say =D! So many races!

I hope Tony hosts some more local XC's after the 2man haha =)

[flyingcr250]

Umm. I'm going to start doing the mercer races which they have twice a month. It's like motocross but they dont have hardout gnarly jumps. It's real good speed training. A friend of mine caleb van dragt does them and hes one of the top riders in NZ, he reckons they're the best training to get real fast =D So i'll be doing them every other weekend. For $20 you get 3x25min races against maybe 10 other dudes. Will be heaps of fun.

Other than the 2man theres the GNCC series starting later on in the year, will be doing all 5 of that. Looking forward to it. Also M3DE ( Maramarua 3 Day Enduro ), which will be amazing. Got international riders coming n stuff. That's in December 4/5/6 I think.

Also the Huka Honda Hare Scramble which is on the 6th of september in Taupo. 3H XC. Might do that, I dont know. Quite far to travel. Will have to see ^_^ Oh and the hawksbay 6hour XC which I will definatly be doing id say =D! So many races!

I hope Tony hosts some more local XC's after the 2man haha =)

ill def be doing the huka honda 3hr,:banana:

[Rupe]

Umm. I'm going to start doing the mercer races which they have twice a month. It's like motocross but they dont have hardout gnarly jumps. It's real good speed training. A friend of mine caleb van dragt does them and hes one of the top riders in NZ, he reckons they're the best training to get real fast =D So i'll be doing them every other weekend. For $20 you get 3x25min races against maybe 10 other dudes. Will be heaps of fun.

Other than the 2man theres the GNCC series starting later on in the year, will be doing all 5 of that. Looking forward to it. Also M3DE ( Maramarua 3 Day Enduro ), which will be amazing. Got international riders coming n stuff. That's in December 4/5/6 I think.

Also the Huka Honda Hare Scramble which is on the 6th of september in Taupo. 3H XC. Might do that, I dont know. Quite far to travel. Will have to see ^_^ Oh and the hawksbay 6hour XC which I will definatly be doing id say =D! So many races!

I hope Tony hosts some more local XC's after the 2man haha =)

Might come and have a go at one of those mercer ones.

There is no woodhill gncc, but might do a couple of the others.

That m3de looks interesting, but a bit too hard out for me.

[flyingcr250]

Might come and have a go at one of those mercer ones.

There is no woodhill gncc, but might do a couple of the others.

That m3de looks interesting, but a bit too hard out for me.

mate just looked at the M3DE site, could be a good thing for me to work towards, purely for the experience if nothing else.

[vazza]

Might come and have a go at one of those mercer ones.

There is no woodhill gncc, but might do a couple of the others.

That m3de looks interesting, but a bit too hard out for me.

Yeh mate ill let you know when the next ones on.

Ahh they havnt updated the GNCC site yet eh

[Ktmboy]

Yeh mate ill let you know when the next ones on.

You sure? Woodhill Saturday 11th October Auckland. www.gncc.co.nz

Vassa, Last years.

[vazza]

Vassa, Last years.

My bad yeh. Is there an updated list for 2010?!

[Rupe]

My bad yeh. Is there an updated list for 2010?!

Yep, here;
http://www.poweradventures.co.nz/page.asp?id=264

[vazza]

Nice, a pitty theres no woodhill!

[xxblackbirdxx]

How was the event???? How did you do, Vazza?

[vazza]

The event was AMAZING Vic. My dad video'd some of it, yet to upload. Did OK.

http://www.epicevents.co.nz/file/Taupo-4-hour/Results-4-hour-09/suzuki-4-hour-overall.pdf

76th overall.

[flyingcr250]

The event was AMAZING Vic. My dad video'd some of it, yet to upload. Did OK.

http://www.epicevents.co.nz/file/Taupo-4-hour/Results-4-hour-09/suzuki-4-hour-overall.pdf

76th overall.

did you find any photos of the event???

[vazza]

Nah mate but im on the lookout!

[flyingcr250]

paul lance from DRD emailed these two pics of me (83).

[vazza]

Nice bro! Those are mint. Hey are you able to PM me his email address?! :D

[vazza]

Photos are up on their site but the link seems to be rooted. Just get an error : / Anyone else able to see them?

www.epicevents.co.nz

[flyingcr250]

Photos are up on their site but the link seems to be rooted. Just get an error : / Anyone else able to see them?

www.epicevents.co.nz

i get the same error:blink:

[theblacksmith]

i get the same error:blink:
Me too unfortunately