NZ MX CHAMPS
W
ith so many sporting codes there has long
been a fierce love-hate relationship between
Australians and New Zealanders, perhaps
none more so than in motocross racing. A
long drought for Australia – 35 years to be
exact – was broken this season when
Queenslander Kirk Gibbs won New Zealand’s premier
motocross crown, the MX1 title.
KTM Australia general manager Jeff Leisk won New
Zealand’s premier motocross crown (then on a Honda)
during his one and only Kiwi campaign in 1983 and this
year it was the turn for CML KTM Racing Team rider Gibbs
to become only the second Australian since Leisk to
capture the MX1 or open class motocross trophy across
the Tasman and only the fourth Australian overall since
CDR Yamaha Racing Team boss Craig Dack won the 250cc
title in New Zealand (on a Honda) in 1986 and Jay Wilson
74 KIWI RIDER