Supercross regrows to old heights

A historical staple in the local motorcycle calendar, Nelson Supercross, has gone from strength to strength since its return.

Initially commenced in 2000 at the renowned Lower Moutere ‘Rat Track’, the event was successfully run for a decade before taking a nine-year hiatus.

Following its revival in 2019, the event has been steadily regaining momentum and reclaiming its former fame.

In no part thanks to former committee member Dan Burrell, who played a pivotal role in overcoming the challenges which included securing the club access back into the property, ultimately reviving the event.

Now entering its fifth year post-revival, Nelson Supercross is poised to deliver its best edition yet, promising an exhilarating experience for all.

Supercross racing, a captivating off-road motorcycle competition held on compact dirt tracks, is a rarity in New Zealand.

The sport features specialised dirt bikes designed for agility, navigating challenging elements like jumps, whoops, and tight turns.

Comparable to major international events like the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship, this event consists of races over 2 days, with riders accumulating points toward a championship title.

The sport is renowned for its high-flying jumps, breathtaking aerial manoeuvres, and intense, fast-paced racing, drawing in a dedicated regional fan base.

Ellie Harvey, president of the Nelson Motorcycle Club, says they are committed to continue to grow the event as one of their flagship events of the year.

“We are excited to be attracting such a high calibre of riders to our local event, and it will guarantee a spectacular for spectators, with high octane, huge jumps and huge thrills.”

Event organiser Liam Kerr says the event has attracted riders from Australia’s Supercross Championship, including Sam Larsen and Jesse Bishop, alongside a high-talented group of local riders.

The Nelson Supercross runs across Saturday and Sunday at Lower Moutere’s Rat track with racing from 1pm, gates open at 11am.