BMX Nationals to Draw Large Crowd Over Easter
Wednesday 8 April 2009, 5:26PM
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More than 830 BMX riders will race, fly and leap around Pohe Island/William Fraser Memorial Park over Easter at the RaboPlus National BMX Championships.
The riders will compete on the brand new world class track, with its newly designed start ramp.
Riders are travelling to Whangarei from all over New Zealand; 200 from Waikato, 160 from the Central/East Coast region, 95 from the Central and upper South Island, 22 from the Deep South, 50 from Taranaki and 38 from the Wellington area.
The largest group, 270, is coming from the Auckland/Northland region, with 63 competing from our home town.
Whangarei District Council contributed about $250,000 to the track’s development including earthworks and track formation, clay capping part of the former land fill and hot mixing corners.
The track was designed by UCI and Olympic track builder Tom Ritzenthaler who designed the Beijing Olympics BMX track. The track is designed to the most up to date standards and to allow for future modifications.
A huge amount of volunteer work has gone into building the track and start ramp in addition to the input of the international expert.
The club is expecting over 2,500 spectators including riders’ support personnel and families. The general public is very welcome and there is no charge for spectators. Food and drinks will be available at the event.