- Over 220 riders descend on Leeston for the 2026 NZ Junior Motocross Championships
- Brand-new purpose-built track hosts its first major national event
- Proven pathway event that has produced world champions and international stars
More than 220 of New Zealand’s top young riders head to Leeston this weekend, as the Junior Motocross Championships debut on a brand-new purpose-built track.
More than 220 of New Zealand’s most promising young motocross racers will descend on Leeston, Canterbury, starting this Friday for the 2026 NZ Junior Motocross Championships — the first major national event to be held on the brand-new track at the purpose-built motocross facility.
New Venue for a New Generation
Running from Friday 10 to Sunday 12 April, the three-day event is hosted by the Christchurch Off Road Motorcycle Club. The New Zealand Junior Motocross Championships has a storied history of producing world-class talent and a reputation as the ultimate proving ground for the country’s next generation of motocross stars.
A Proven Pathway to the Top
The roll call of alumni reads like a who’s who of New Zealand motocross greats: 1996 Motocross World Champion Shayne King and his brother Darryll King, fellow international stars Darryl Atkins, Josh Coppins and Cody Cooper, 2004 MX2 World Champion Ben Townley, multi-time World Champion Courtney Duncan (2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023), and recently minted AMA Supercross star Cole Davies — currently leading the East Coast Supercross series in the USA — have all come through the ranks of this event before going on to compete and win at the highest levels of the sport worldwide.
Built from Passion and Vision
The new track at the Brookhaven Training Facility on Boundary Creek Road has been made possible through landowner Dean Baird, of Baird’s Collision Centre, who set out to establish a dedicated motocross training venue 10 years ago. The track has continued to evolve, and around four months ago underwent a major transformation in preparation for this event.
Dean’s two sons, Jesse (13) and Ryder, will both be competing at the championships.
“We’re incredibly proud to be hosting the Junior Nats here on this new track,” Baird said. “The track has been completely rebuilt; very little of the old track remains. It’s a whole new level and would be worthy of a senior event. The amount of work that has gone into it is incredible, and I am grateful to my friends and contractors who have poured so much time, energy and passion into completing the track and the new facilities like the spectator viewing platform. I overheard some visitors calling it a world-class motocross track. That was pretty cool.”
Classes and Key Contenders
Spanning eight age-group classes from eight-year-olds through to 16-year-olds, the three days of competition will see riders racing on machinery from 65cc through to 250cc.
Riders to watch include Waipukurau’s Carson Carroll in the 12–14 years 125cc class and Tauranga’s Arama Te Whetu in the 15–16 years 125cc class, with both riders fresh off podium finishes (second and third respectively) in the MX125 class at the 2026 Yamaha New Zealand Motocross Championships.
Local Rakaia rider Ben Costello, who finished fourth at the senior nationals behind the two North Islanders, will be looking for redemption in the 15–16 years 125cc class in front of his home crowd.
Auckland’s Jack Ellingham, who finished sixth overall in MX2 at the senior nationals, will be the favourite in the 14–16 years 250cc class.
In the women’s classes, Taupō’s Mikayla Griffiths — who represented New Zealand at the FIM Oceania Women’s Motocross Championships last month — will be the rider to beat.
Strong Fields Across the Board
With more than 220 riders registered for this year’s event, competition is expected to be fierce across all classes.
“With such a strong turnout, it is clear the future of the sport is in good hands,” said Motorcycling New Zealand General Manager Vicky Hicks.
“This event has long been a stepping stone for riders progressing into senior competition as well as international competition, and reflects how New Zealand continues to produce world-class talent.”
“Events like this do not happen without the commitment of the club and its volunteers, whose contribution is invaluable.”
Get Trackside This Weekend
Families, supporters and motorsport fans are encouraged to come and witness the next generation of Kiwi champions in action. Racing starts from approximately 9am each day.
If you want to see where NZ’s next world champions come from, this is it.
EVENT DETAILS
2026 New Zealand Junior Motocross Championships
WHEN: Friday 10 – Sunday 12 April 2026
WHERE: Brookhaven Training Facility, 190 Boundary Creek Road, Leeston, Canterbury 7682
Racing starts approximately 9am each day. Entry is $20 for adults, $10 for under 15s, free for under 5s, and a carload is $40. Food and coffee will be available on site.
For further details: www.mnz.co.nz
