two classes this year, the MX1 and the MX2 as
well. This should set me up well for defending
my national cross-country title later in 2018.”
Groombridge is no stranger to riding solo at
the Acerbis Four-Hour cross-country race – the
gruelling marathon was also previously won
outright by Groombridge in 2013, 2014 and last
year too, on all three occasions competing as
an ironman and each time riding a powerful
450cc four-stroke Suzuki RM-Z450.
He had created history with his 2013 victory, that
win making him the first man to win it as an ironman,
and he had also previously won the race outright
in 2010, on that occasion part of a two-rider team,
sharing the riding duties that day with Hawera’s
former national motocross champion Daryl Hurley.
Run by Taupo company Epic Events, the Suzuki-
backed event has been growing in popularity
each year and more than 350 riders signed up
this time around to tackle the gruelling dirt
bike marathon, the venue again near Kinloch,
about 25 minutes’ drive west of Taupo.
A wide cross-section of riders from various
motorcycling codes came together to race
through the trees and over the pumice and
sand of the Central Plateau, forming up as two-
rider teams or simply choosing to go it alone
as an ironman contestant, making this one of
New Zealand’s premier off-road bike events.
The separate class winners were Groombridge
(ironman big bore, 1st overall); Howick’s Liam Draper
(ironman small bore, 4th overall); Cambridge’s
Ashton Grey (junior 16-19 years ironman, 15th
overall); New Plymouth’s Tony Parker (vets 35-44
years ironman, 25th overall); Papamoa’s Brendon
McHardy (masters, over 45 years ironman, 72nd
overall); Otorohanga’s Jan-Maree Pool (ironwoman,
92nd overall); Auckland’s Luke Mobberley and
Damon Nield (big bore team, 5th overall); Raglan’s
Jason Dickey and Brandon Given (small bore
team, 10th overall); Rotorua’s Callum Dudson and
Ethan Harris (junior team, 16-19 years, 13th overall);
Morris and Negus (vets team, combined age of
over 80 years, 3rd overall); Huntly’s Roger and Jake
Russell (father and son team, 31st overall; Rotorua’s
Nicolette Epps and Melissa Patterson (women’s
team, 88th overall) and Auckland’s Rachel and
Anthony Parker (mixed gender team, 56th overall).
A special Richie Ebbett Memorial Trophy was
86KIWI RIDER
presented at the event for the first time this
year, given to a “deserving rider” and Taupo’s
Dan Harris was this year’s inaugural recipient.
“Dan (Harris) gives everything a go and
is so enthusiastic and encouraging of
others, just as Richie Ebbett was,” said
event organiser Claire Bullock.
The 90-minute Motomuck Junior 90 race again
acted as a “curtain-raiser” to the main race and
that was won by Cambridge rider Seton Head,
with Cambridge’s Callum Paterson runner-
up and Napier’s Bryn Codd claiming the third
podium spot. The top 85cc bike rider in this
90-minute race was Taupo’s Wil Yeoman.
Paul Whibley