- More than 160 young riders will race at the NZ Mini Motocross Nationals in Tokoroa on October 3–4.
- Riders aged four to 11 will compete on bikes ranging from 50cc to 140cc.
- The South Waikato Motorcycle Club hosts the event at the Craig Stevens Motorcycle Track.
Some of New Zealand’s youngest motocross racers will descend on Tokoroa this weekend, with more than 160 competitors expected for the 2026 New Zealand Mini Motocross Nationals.
Held at the Craig Stevens Motorcycle Track on October 3–4, the two-day event will see riders aged from just four through to 11 years old competing on machinery ranging from 50cc to 140cc.
And while the bikes might be small, the event has a pretty impressive record when it comes to producing future stars.
Australian brothers Hunter and Jett Lawrence both competed at the New Zealand Mini Motocross Nationals early in their careers, while Kiwi racers including Josiah Natzke, Maximus Purvis and Cole Davies have also progressed from the event to success on the international stage.
ONES TO WATCH
There’s another strong crop of youngsters lining up in Tokoroa this year, including Auckland’s Karter Tupaea, Stratford’s Jack Bunn, Gisborne’s Mac Speirs, Tokoroa’s Alex Sutherland, Whakatane’s Cooper Whyte and Owhango siblings Corbin and Libby Wind.
Hastings rider Finnian Gillies, Feilding’s Hunter Rider and Dannevirke’s Amilah-Rose Hickey are also among those expected to feature.
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Owhango’s Corbin Wind will have an especially busy weekend, contesting both the 6–8 Years MX50cc and 7–8 Years MX65cc classes and expected to be among the frontrunners in both.
South Waikato Motorcycle Club secretary Skyler Heathcote also points to Jacko Slater as one to watch.
“His results this season have been amazing, and it’s great to see all the hard work he’s been putting in really paying off,” said Heathcote.
Local Whakamaru rider Jacob Brolly is another expected to be in contention after a strong 2025 season.
“With more than 160 competitors travelling nationwide to get here, it will be a real spectacle,” Heathcote said. “We encourage everyone to come and support the competitors and see who will be crowned our next mini motocross champions.”
Hosted by the South Waikato Motorcycle Club and sponsored by Craig Stevens Motorcycles, racing takes place across Saturday and Sunday.
2026 NEW ZEALAND MINI MOTOCROSS NATIONALS
When: October 3–4, 2026
Where: Craig Stevens Motorcycle Track, 53 Moffat Road, Tokoroa
Host: South Waikato Motorcycle Club
Words and photography supplied by Andy McGechan/BikesportNZ.com
