Shakeup predicted at motorcross champs

ANDY MCGECHAN

OUT OF SHADOW: Cambridge's Damien King has the chance to shine in the absence of brother Darryll at the New Zealand motocross championships, starting at Pleasant Point this weekend.

Relevant offers

Motorsport

Thousands flock to V8 Supercars launch day Evans' win secures favourite tag for Grand Prix HRT say new car will not test until March Alonso ends final day of Jerez F1 test on top Coton brings Hamilton closer to 'happy bubble' Kiwi teens racing for top at NZ Grand Prix Nissan to join V8 Supercars from next year Darryll King on target to keep motocross crown Mixed bag first up for Vettel and Alonso Hayden Paddon steps up to new rally level

The 2007 New Zealand motocross championships, starting at Pleasant Point this weekend, are looming as one of the most fiercely fought series in years.

Reigning national 500cc and 250cc champion Darryll King (Yamaha) is sidelined with injury, leaving the way clear for his rivals to take advantage and put their names on the trophies, but that does not make predictions any easier.

A new class structure is in place this season with 250cc four-strokes now thrown in with the 250cc two-strokes and that adds to the uncertainty.

The old 125cc class has now been reserved solely for the 125cc two-stroke bikes, while the 500cc class is still likely to be dominated by the 450cc four-stroke machines.

The four-round series kicks off at Pleasant Point, before moving to Rotorua (October 13-14) and Hawkes Bay (November 10-11) and it finally wraps up in New Plymouth on November 17-18.

However, even with one of the current champions sidelined and another opting to change classes, it could still be a member of the King family who takes the limelight this season.

Either Damien will show he is just as good on a two-stroke as he is on a four-stroke bike, or elder brother Shayne King – the 500cc world champion in 1996 – could equally ensure a King name is again etched onto the silverware.

"I have many more demands on my time now because of my business, so I don't think I'll be as strong as I'd like," said Shayne King, 36, who finished fifth in the 500cc class and runner-up in the 250cc class last season.

Shayne King is racing a Honda in both the 500cc and 250cc classes again this season and is hoping to add to the 50 national titles he has already tucked away in a long and glittering career.

Out to stop the King dynasty will be top-line riders such as Kiwi internationals Daryl Hurley (Hawera, Suzuki), Cody Cooper (Papamoa, Honda), Mason Phillips (Tauranga, KTM), Luke Burkhart (Hawera, Suzuki) and Michael Phillips (Rotorua, Kawasaki),

and Australian riders Jay

Marmont (KTM) and Cheyne

Boyd (Yamaha).

Former Gisborne man Matt Hunt (Suzuki), now training in Mount Maunganui under the guidance of former national champion Andrew Hardisty, and Christchurch's Justin McDonald (Honda) are among the favourites to challenge Damien King for the 125cc class title.

- © Fairfax NZ News