- James Drought is the only Kiwi selected for the Ohvale Guangzhou Super Cup
- The nine-year-old will take on 80 riders from 20 countries
- Heads to China fresh from winning all four races at the latest Australian MotoMini 110 Cup round
Taupō youngster James Drought will be the only New Zealander at the 2026 Ohvale Guangzhou Super Cup, joining 80 young racers from 20 countries in China.
Nine-year-old Taupō motorcycle racer James Drought will fly the Kiwi flag in China this week, becoming the only New Zealander selected to compete in the 2026 Ohvale Guangzhou Super Cup.
Drought will line up alongside some of the world’s most promising young racers at the Guangzhou Conghua International Circuit, with 80 riders from 20 countries selected for the international event.
And the young Kiwi heads to China in impressive form after dominating the latest round of the Australian MotoMini 110 Cup.
Photo: RbMotoLens
Four Wins From Four in Australia
Drought won all four races at Round 3 of the Australian MotoMini 110 Cup at Monarto, South Australia, on August 8-9, mastering difficult wet conditions to record a perfect 1-1-1-1 scorecard.
Combined with second overall at each of the opening two rounds, the result has put Drought firmly into championship contention. With two rounds remaining, he sits just 13 points behind series leader Xavier Tonna.
“I was quite happy and stoked that I came first,” said Drought.
“The fact that it was wet was an advantage to me, because I’ve been doing some training in the wet. I train in Tokoroa and it is like ice at times and that’s what it was like at Monarto.”
That wet-weather confidence was tested during the third race when Drought ran wide and onto the grass, handing his rival a three-and-a-half-second advantage.
Rather than settling for second, the nine-year-old set about closing the gap.
“I managed to bring it back on the track. That gave my rival a three-and-a-half-second lead, so I had to reel him in and I was able to pass him – I gave it gas and no brakes into that corner and was able to get right around the outside of him.”
Taking on the World in China
The Ohvale Guangzhou Super Cup is now in its second year and brings together young racers from around the world, with the event combining racing with cultural exchanges and activities designed to build connections between Chinese and international youth motorcycle programmes.
Drought is already in China with his family ahead of racing at the purpose-built Guangzhou Conghua International Circuit from August 21-23.
Despite the strength of the international field, he’s heading into the event with some ambitious targets.
“My goal is to come top 10, maybe top five if I can,” said Drought.
“My biggest challenge will be the heat in China. I’ll be riding a manual bike, too, but I am good with that.”
The motorcycle will be another change for the young Kiwi.
Drought has been racing automatic Ohvale machines in the Australian MotoMini 110 Cup, but in China he’ll step up to a four-speed manual version. His motocross experience back home in New Zealand, where he races a geared 65cc machine, should make the transition considerably easier.
His mother Nicole Drought believes the family’s Australian campaign has also been ideal preparation for what James will face in Guangzhou.
“China is a new track and a new bike, but he is used to it because of Aussie,” she explained.
“There we have had three rounds with three new tracks. He races an automatic in New Zealand and Aussie, while China is a four-speed manual. He races a 65cc in New Zealand so is used to gears – they just go the other way on the road bikes.”
One to Watch
Drought is already becoming a familiar name to BRM readers. We recently sat down with James to find out more about the nine-year-old racer, how he got started and his ambitions for the future.
You can read our interview with James Drought HERE.
For now, though, attention turns to China and an opportunity to measure himself against some of the best young riders from around the world.
Nicole says the family is grateful for the support that has helped make the trip possible.
“We can’t wait to experience everything this opportunity has to offer and to see James line up against some of the best riders from around the world,” she said.
“China … here we come.”
Following the Guangzhou event, Drought will return his attention to the Australian MotoMini 110 Cup, with Round 4 at Albury, New South Wales, on September 19-20 before the championship finale at Port Melbourne, Victoria, on October 17-18.
