Motocross riders love being back competing

A hard frost did not deter more than 100 motocross riders from getting rid of any cobwebs at a MX Club Day on Sunday, including one keen 5-year-old.

Hosted by South Canterbury Motorcycle Club at the Irving’s property courses near Albury, the day was a chance for the first ride for many since lockdown.

Club president Andrew Richardt said the weather was good, though frosty, so the start was delayed to allow for a ‘‘little thaw’’. The lineup of 133 riders was almost double the usual number of riders, he said.

‘‘It was awesome ... After being in lockdown people just wanted to ride.’’

He said some riders had come from Christchurch for the monthly club day.

The last club ride, at Caroline

Bay, was a week before the March lockdown, he said.

Apart from one broken collarbone related to a rider not heeding the warning about the slippery frost, the day went smoothly, Richardt said.

Two tracks were used, one mini circuit for 4-8-year-olds who ride 50cc to 65cc bikes, and then the main track with trail bikes up to 500cc.

It was a first outing for Oamaru’s Cory Butson, who had just turned 5.

His father Paul Butson said Cory has been riding a motorbike for about 12 months around their farm, about 10 minutes north of Oamaru.

Cory was riding a Honda CRF50 at the weekend but would soon be stepping up to a twostroke KTM50, he said.

‘‘He just has to get used to it. We are real proud of him.’’

The club usually holds the event on the second Sunday of every month at various tracks around the region.

The South Canterbury Motocross Championships will be held at the end of August at Southburn.