The roughest off-road event ever held

Press, 27 April 1989, Page 45

The roughest off-road event ever held

The Shell Challenge 100 race to be held this coming Saturday at Dalethorpe Station will present one of the most

robust, gruelling race events ever held off-road in New Zealand. The event has been organised by the Corsair

Motorcycle Club and has attracted top off-road riders from throughout Australasia. For the majority of

riders the lure is less the cash prizes for the rider first past the post but more a matter of tackling the most demanding course imaginable. Mountains, forest, bogs, flats where the growth is up to the handlebars are all part of what the organisers of the Shell Challenge 100 are billing as an “ultimate challenge.” The event is suitable for MX, Enduro and trail motorcycles.

There are four classes open for entrants, 0-200 cc two stroke; 201 cc - open

two stroke; four strokfe - open; and Clubman (one lap only, no prize money). More than 100 competitors will line up for a spectacular massed shotgun start for the event on Saturday, April 29. Ahead of them will be the demanding task of surviving three laps of the 54 kilometre course. To ensure all the riding on the ethical equivalent of a “level playing field” the organisers have barred all pre-event practice. This will result in all riders facing the same challenge of maintaining speed in unfamiliar conditions. According to the Shell Challenge 100 publicist, James Petrie, the event will "put a premium on toughness and the ability to ride swiftly over terrain better suited to mountain goats.” The event marks a new direction for the Corsair Motorcycle Club, Inc., traditionally associated with B.E.A.R. (British European American Racing) events such as the Sound of Thunder.

The course for the Shell Challenge 100 has been laid out by the Corsair Motorcycle Club planner, John Sutherland, who has laid out a previously unridden route that he contends will test riders and bikes, “beyond normal belief.” There will also be other attractions at the race site.