Motocross event is back in town

It’s time to get out your calendars and scribble in a few special dates and places.

The schedule for next year’s New Zealand motocross championships have now been set in concrete, with four contrasting types of terrain set to test the country’s elite dirt bike racers throughout February and March.

The four-round series will kick off near Timaru on February 5, with rounds to follow in Rotorua (February 19) and Manawatu (March 12), with the final round in Taupo on Saturday, March 25.

‘‘We are thrilled to be able to finally get this sorted,’’ said Motorcycling New Zealand motocross commissioner Howard Lilly. ’’It has been a hard job to get the dates worked out.

Timaru’s track at Pleasant Point has been venue for the opening round for several seasons now, the course there an interesting mix of man-made jumps, hard-pack soil and tricky off-cambers.

Rotorua’s venue, on steep farmland about 25km from the city, heading towards Atiamuri, has also been a regular on the nationals calendar, the spectacular course there a favourite with spectators for the viewing that it offers.

The Flipp’s Motorcycle Park near Himatangi had been granted the third round of the series following the Manawatuorion Motorcycle Club’s successful first time hosting of the event last season.

Lilly said this was reward for and vindication of the way the Manawatu club had presented the venue last year, the sandbased track proving to be incredibly popular with riders and spectators alike.

He remarked it probably should come as no surprise that the Manawatu club met the criteria in the first instance, seeing as it has been the host club of New Zealand’s largest motocross, the NZGP at Woodville, every year since 1961.

‘‘Manawatu’s event last season was widely regarded as the highlight of the series last year.’’