MARAMARUA 2017
The weather Gods resumed normal summer service for the 2017 Maramarua Classic Vinduro. As befitting an early May enduro the weather was fine, warm and dry, a stark contrast to the downpour of 2016. As a result the ground at Maramarua Forest was hard as concrete.
Greg Power marked a great Vinduro friendly course comprising two loops, one of 25 and one of 28 km. The Silver Grade rode one lap of each for a total of 53 km, while the Gold riders repeated the first loop for a meaty 81 km all up.
The hard ground conditions with plenty of braking and acceleration bumps (part-hidden by dust) generated by the modern bikes that usually use these trails made for demanding riding, especially for the older bikes with minimal suspension travel.
This made the effort by Stephen Groves to win the Overall Gold Handicap and the Gold Classic Class on his 1973 XL350 all the more remarkable. Stephen added his win at Maramarua to podium rides at all rounds of the Vinduro NZ Series so far this season to lead the Gold Overall Handicap standings. Should he or the trusty XL fail however at the final round at Kinleith on May 7th there are a gaggle of riders who can challenge him including John Refoy (XR200), Mark Gray (XR200) and Peter Scherer (IT250).
In the Silver Division Neil Hintz once again blasted his unique Kawasaki 350 Bighorn into the top spot and now also leads the Silver Overall Handicap and the Silver Classic class. Again however, a slip up in the final round could open the door for Brett Roberts (KLX 250) or David Vass (PE250).
With 75 riders so far fronting up at the Vinduro NZ Series so far this year organisers are hoping for a good turnout at the final round in the Kinleith Forest near Tokoroa.
Maramarua and Vinduro NZ Series results in both Silver and Gold Categories and all five classes are available on the Silver Bullet Events website.
Greg Power marked a great Vinduro friendly course comprising two loops, one of 25 and one of 28 km. The Silver Grade rode one lap of each for a total of 53 km, while the Gold riders repeated the first loop for a meaty 81 km all up.
The hard ground conditions with plenty of braking and acceleration bumps (part-hidden by dust) generated by the modern bikes that usually use these trails made for demanding riding, especially for the older bikes with minimal suspension travel.
This made the effort by Stephen Groves to win the Overall Gold Handicap and the Gold Classic Class on his 1973 XL350 all the more remarkable. Stephen added his win at Maramarua to podium rides at all rounds of the Vinduro NZ Series so far this season to lead the Gold Overall Handicap standings. Should he or the trusty XL fail however at the final round at Kinleith on May 7th there are a gaggle of riders who can challenge him including John Refoy (XR200), Mark Gray (XR200) and Peter Scherer (IT250).
In the Silver Division Neil Hintz once again blasted his unique Kawasaki 350 Bighorn into the top spot and now also leads the Silver Overall Handicap and the Silver Classic class. Again however, a slip up in the final round could open the door for Brett Roberts (KLX 250) or David Vass (PE250).
With 75 riders so far fronting up at the Vinduro NZ Series so far this year organisers are hoping for a good turnout at the final round in the Kinleith Forest near Tokoroa.
Maramarua and Vinduro NZ Series results in both Silver and Gold Categories and all five classes are available on the Silver Bullet Events website.
MARAMARUA 2017 - the video
PHOTOS FROM 2017
MARAMARUA HISTORY
Tjebbe Bruin slogging through winter mud at Maramarua in the late eighties on a hybrid Honda XL 350/Suzuki RM 250 framed special. The event was first run in 1974. Click on the image for more info.
VITAL FACTS 2017
• Sunday March 5 2017
• Getting there – signposted from Highway Signposted from SH 2 and Kopuku Rd
Follow arrows to Schumaker Rd and forest HQ
• Sign on – from 8.30 am
• Bike tech – mufflers essential, no noisy bikes, safe fuel system
• Fuel – max distance to fuel 25 km
• Costs – $60.00 (inc one day licence)
• Barbie – burgers supplied, byo cheers
• Sunday March 5 2017
• Getting there – signposted from Highway Signposted from SH 2 and Kopuku Rd
Follow arrows to Schumaker Rd and forest HQ
• Sign on – from 8.30 am
• Bike tech – mufflers essential, no noisy bikes, safe fuel system
• Fuel – max distance to fuel 25 km
• Costs – $60.00 (inc one day licence)
• Barbie – burgers supplied, byo cheers