Motocross to rev up the Bay

Helmets and boots are compulsory but so is a sense of humour as motorcyclists are set to chew up the sand on Timaru’s Caroline Bay today.

The South Canterbury Motorcycle Club is hosting its motocross beach club day and president Andrew Richardt expects up to 120 riders to take part.

Richardt said the said the number of competitors, who range in age from five-years-old right through to 65, has been about on par since the event was reintroduced in 2015.

After being held on an almost annual basis from 1996 to 2002, members of the club had the event revitalised in 2015.

He expected spectator numbers to be around 400.

While a competitive event, Richardt said it was also all about having fun, hence why ‘‘a sense of humour is compulsory.’’

‘‘Once the adrenaline kicks in it’s all go but at the end of the day we’re all there for the fun.

‘‘The beach is somewhere different to ride and we’re very lucky that the council let us do it.’’

Classes competing will include mini-motocross, junior, senior and veterans. To appease neighbouring residents over the noise, the club does a letter drop beforehand, as well as advertise the event. ‘‘We’ve given all the surrounding neighbours letterbox drops but we’ve never had any complaints,’’ Richardt said. It runs noon to 5pm.