Enduros got off to a late start in NZ. Though there were a few riders like Tim Gibbes who had ridden in the ISDT (International Six Days Trial) to a very high standard, there were no Enduro events (to my knowledge) run prior to 1974.
Overseas, in America and Australia in particular, enduros were undergoing huge growth and Kiwi enthusiasts, reading about the events, could see that NZ's terrain and accessible off road riding would make for great events. Though there were very few specialist enduro bikes available in NZ motorcycle enthusiasts of the 70s were an innovative bunch and so they adapted the available trail bikes of the era for enduro competition. To see more about how bikes were modified go to the specials page in this section.
1974 - ENDURO KICKS OFF IN NZ
1974 RAGLAN ENDURO
To the best of my knowledge NZ's first time-card Enduro was run by the Hamilton MCC at Raglan on January 20th 1974 and organised by Roy Long. The event information labeled this the first American type enduro to be held in NZ. The entry fee was a hefty three dollars, with entries limited to 80 riders. The course included gravel roads, bush tracks and farmland, as part of an 80km loop from Raglan around Mt Karioi. The course was repeated three times with a total distance of 240km and about eight hours riding time.
1. Peter Martin, Ossa
2. Rob Mitchell, Honda
3. Dave Price Ossa
4. Kevin Sargent , Ariel HT 500
Ladies Award. Janine Glover (6th)
1974 SWITZERS ENDURO
Though I have scant documentation one of NZ's and the South Island's first Enduro was held by the Southland MCC, organised by Alaistair Meikle and Rob Hall in October on Glencairn Station. The event comprised three laps of a 23 mile (37km) course. Winner of the event was Geoff Udy on a Suzuki TS 400, followed by Malcolm Howden on a Yamaha DT250 and Andrew Green on a Yamaha TY 250 trials bike. Geoff Udy later moved to Australia and rode for the Queensland Interstate Enduro Team for many years.
1974 NORTH SHORE ENDURO
Later in August 1974 I ran an Enduro under the auspices of the North Shore Motorcycle Club (later to become the Waitemata MCC) in Woodhill and Riverhead forests. The event started and finished with a loop in Woodhill Forest with a short loop in Riverhead Forest joined by two road sections. Though I have never uncovered any photos, Jo Van Lier was the winner of the event on a Honda XL350, followed by Hugh Barroclough on a Honda XL 250 and J Mc Diamond on a Suzuki TS400. The Teams prize was won by the North Shore MCC Team of Peter Hodge, Andy Jack and Blair (Horrie) Harrison. A team travelled from the Thames Valley MCC and included Lester Yates and John Isdaile.
1975 - ENDURO GROWS
Following publicity of the Raglan event interest was growing and several unconnected groups around the country were also planning Enduro competitions. During 1975 further events were run at Riverhead Forest organised by myself and Tejbbe Bruin, Maramarua Forest, organised by Kevin Sargent, Bob Jackson and Dave Vinsen, Te Akatarawa Ranges, organised by Laurie Pettersen, Raglan and Waerenga (near Te Kauwhata) by Dave Judson Roy Long and Gary Wendt.
1975 IXION ENDURO
This event was held in June 1975 in the damp and rocky Akatarawa and Rimutaka Ranges, organised by Laurie Petterson and the Ixion MCC. Does anyone have any more information or photos of this event?
1. Dave Black Yamaha TY250
2. Greg Power Yamaha TY 250
1975 MARAMARUA ENDURO
Auckland MCC stalwarts Bob Jackson, Kevin Sargent and Ron Rogers et al kicked off this classic event in Maramarua Forest, south of Auckland, attracting 83 entrants. Winner of the event was Phill Thompson on a Yamaha TY250 trials bike.
1. Phill Thompson Yamaha TY 250
2. Joe Van Lier Honda XL350
3. Dave Black Suzuki TS 185
4. Peter Ireland Suzuki TM 250
5. Hugh Barraclough Honda XL250
6. Dave Vinsen Honda XL175
7. Richard Stolwerk Suzuki TS250
8. Barry Paul Honda XL250
9. Gavin Alexander Suzuki TS 400
10. John Isdaile Yamaha DT175
1975 VIRGIN SWAMPS ENDURO
The second of a long line of Endros the VSE was held in the now legendary and somewhat up and down Riverhead Forest, still a venue for National Enduros today. Organisers were John Nick and Tjebbe Bruin. The event was greatly affected by the usual winter downpours, devilish sticky clay, tree roots and the organisers particular penchant, deep raupo swamps. Joe Van lier riding an XL350 engined CR250 special led the way, hotly pushed by Blair (Horrie) Harrison) and Andy Jack, both on Honda XL250 Motosports and Evan Lamberton on a Husqvarna 400. Only 18 of the 60 starters finished the course.
1. Joe Van Lier Honda XL/CR 350
2. Blair Harrison Honda XL 250Honda
3. Andy Jack Honda XL250
4. Evan Lamberton Husqvarna 400
5. Rob Millard Yamaha TY 250
6. Gavin Alexander Suzuki TS 400
7. Bob Jackson Honda SL145 (1st under 200cc)
7. Dave Vinsen Honda XL 175 (2nd under 200cc)
8. Roy Long Yamaha DT175 (3rd under 200 cc)
9. John Shaw Suzuki TS 250
10. Kevin Sargent CZ175
Teams Auckland MCC.
1975 RAGLAN ENDURO, NZ's FIRST MULTI - DAY ENDURO
The AC Spark Plugs Raglan Enduro in October 1975 was NZ's first two day Enduro and proved a challenging affair with two full length days over virgin terrain. The entry form did its best to prime the 44 entrants noting 'The areas in which the Enduro is being run consists of horrifying hills, hair rasing descents, copious mud and cycle-swallowing swamps.' The event started and finished in the main street of Raglan with bikes impounded overnight in the local garage. The course of just one lap of eight hours riding included the infamous Mako Mako Track, many kilometres of bog hole infested bush that would become one of the infamous bogeys of subsequent Raglan events, to the point that one renowned group of riders made up a primitive dance sequence that was rolled out after midnight at the obligatory woolshed parties that Raglan was equally infamous for. Once the mako mako was conquered riders would ride through inumerable farms to cross the Hakarimata Ranges to tackle the steep Karakariki bush tracks infamous for their climbs and the unbelievably greasy papa ascent know as Flywheel Hill. Sixteen riders finished the event.
1. John Nicholson, Husky 360
2. Bob Jackson, Honda 145
3. Phil Thompson Yamaha TY250
4. G Howe Yamaha 350
5. Dave Vinsen Honda XL175
6. Gary Wendt Honda XL199
7. Dave Black Yamaha TY 250
8. Colin Nelson Honda
9. Sid Bailey Honda TL125
10. Roy Long Yamaha DT 175
Teams AMCC.
Photo top of page: The AC Spark Plugs Team from the Hamilton MCC. Dave Judson (CR/XL150) Jeff Cross Suz TS250 and Roy Long Yam CT 175.
A note on accuracy: I have turned up a few photos and newspaper clippings from the 1974-5 events, though it is difficult sometimes to know precisely when and where photos were taken. Bear in mind this was long time ago and few people had cameras, and camera phones were stuff of science fiction.
Photo contributions: If you have photos from this era that you would like to share please send captioned digital files by email. Files should be . jpg between 800k and 2megs.
jnick@nztrailrider.co.nz
Overseas, in America and Australia in particular, enduros were undergoing huge growth and Kiwi enthusiasts, reading about the events, could see that NZ's terrain and accessible off road riding would make for great events. Though there were very few specialist enduro bikes available in NZ motorcycle enthusiasts of the 70s were an innovative bunch and so they adapted the available trail bikes of the era for enduro competition. To see more about how bikes were modified go to the specials page in this section.
1974 - ENDURO KICKS OFF IN NZ
1974 RAGLAN ENDURO
To the best of my knowledge NZ's first time-card Enduro was run by the Hamilton MCC at Raglan on January 20th 1974 and organised by Roy Long. The event information labeled this the first American type enduro to be held in NZ. The entry fee was a hefty three dollars, with entries limited to 80 riders. The course included gravel roads, bush tracks and farmland, as part of an 80km loop from Raglan around Mt Karioi. The course was repeated three times with a total distance of 240km and about eight hours riding time.
1. Peter Martin, Ossa
2. Rob Mitchell, Honda
3. Dave Price Ossa
4. Kevin Sargent , Ariel HT 500
Ladies Award. Janine Glover (6th)
1974 SWITZERS ENDURO
Though I have scant documentation one of NZ's and the South Island's first Enduro was held by the Southland MCC, organised by Alaistair Meikle and Rob Hall in October on Glencairn Station. The event comprised three laps of a 23 mile (37km) course. Winner of the event was Geoff Udy on a Suzuki TS 400, followed by Malcolm Howden on a Yamaha DT250 and Andrew Green on a Yamaha TY 250 trials bike. Geoff Udy later moved to Australia and rode for the Queensland Interstate Enduro Team for many years.
1974 NORTH SHORE ENDURO
Later in August 1974 I ran an Enduro under the auspices of the North Shore Motorcycle Club (later to become the Waitemata MCC) in Woodhill and Riverhead forests. The event started and finished with a loop in Woodhill Forest with a short loop in Riverhead Forest joined by two road sections. Though I have never uncovered any photos, Jo Van Lier was the winner of the event on a Honda XL350, followed by Hugh Barroclough on a Honda XL 250 and J Mc Diamond on a Suzuki TS400. The Teams prize was won by the North Shore MCC Team of Peter Hodge, Andy Jack and Blair (Horrie) Harrison. A team travelled from the Thames Valley MCC and included Lester Yates and John Isdaile.
1975 - ENDURO GROWS
Following publicity of the Raglan event interest was growing and several unconnected groups around the country were also planning Enduro competitions. During 1975 further events were run at Riverhead Forest organised by myself and Tejbbe Bruin, Maramarua Forest, organised by Kevin Sargent, Bob Jackson and Dave Vinsen, Te Akatarawa Ranges, organised by Laurie Pettersen, Raglan and Waerenga (near Te Kauwhata) by Dave Judson Roy Long and Gary Wendt.
1975 IXION ENDURO
This event was held in June 1975 in the damp and rocky Akatarawa and Rimutaka Ranges, organised by Laurie Petterson and the Ixion MCC. Does anyone have any more information or photos of this event?
1. Dave Black Yamaha TY250
2. Greg Power Yamaha TY 250
1975 MARAMARUA ENDURO
Auckland MCC stalwarts Bob Jackson, Kevin Sargent and Ron Rogers et al kicked off this classic event in Maramarua Forest, south of Auckland, attracting 83 entrants. Winner of the event was Phill Thompson on a Yamaha TY250 trials bike.
1. Phill Thompson Yamaha TY 250
2. Joe Van Lier Honda XL350
3. Dave Black Suzuki TS 185
4. Peter Ireland Suzuki TM 250
5. Hugh Barraclough Honda XL250
6. Dave Vinsen Honda XL175
7. Richard Stolwerk Suzuki TS250
8. Barry Paul Honda XL250
9. Gavin Alexander Suzuki TS 400
10. John Isdaile Yamaha DT175
1975 VIRGIN SWAMPS ENDURO
The second of a long line of Endros the VSE was held in the now legendary and somewhat up and down Riverhead Forest, still a venue for National Enduros today. Organisers were John Nick and Tjebbe Bruin. The event was greatly affected by the usual winter downpours, devilish sticky clay, tree roots and the organisers particular penchant, deep raupo swamps. Joe Van lier riding an XL350 engined CR250 special led the way, hotly pushed by Blair (Horrie) Harrison) and Andy Jack, both on Honda XL250 Motosports and Evan Lamberton on a Husqvarna 400. Only 18 of the 60 starters finished the course.
1. Joe Van Lier Honda XL/CR 350
2. Blair Harrison Honda XL 250Honda
3. Andy Jack Honda XL250
4. Evan Lamberton Husqvarna 400
5. Rob Millard Yamaha TY 250
6. Gavin Alexander Suzuki TS 400
7. Bob Jackson Honda SL145 (1st under 200cc)
7. Dave Vinsen Honda XL 175 (2nd under 200cc)
8. Roy Long Yamaha DT175 (3rd under 200 cc)
9. John Shaw Suzuki TS 250
10. Kevin Sargent CZ175
Teams Auckland MCC.
1975 RAGLAN ENDURO, NZ's FIRST MULTI - DAY ENDURO
The AC Spark Plugs Raglan Enduro in October 1975 was NZ's first two day Enduro and proved a challenging affair with two full length days over virgin terrain. The entry form did its best to prime the 44 entrants noting 'The areas in which the Enduro is being run consists of horrifying hills, hair rasing descents, copious mud and cycle-swallowing swamps.' The event started and finished in the main street of Raglan with bikes impounded overnight in the local garage. The course of just one lap of eight hours riding included the infamous Mako Mako Track, many kilometres of bog hole infested bush that would become one of the infamous bogeys of subsequent Raglan events, to the point that one renowned group of riders made up a primitive dance sequence that was rolled out after midnight at the obligatory woolshed parties that Raglan was equally infamous for. Once the mako mako was conquered riders would ride through inumerable farms to cross the Hakarimata Ranges to tackle the steep Karakariki bush tracks infamous for their climbs and the unbelievably greasy papa ascent know as Flywheel Hill. Sixteen riders finished the event.
1. John Nicholson, Husky 360
2. Bob Jackson, Honda 145
3. Phil Thompson Yamaha TY250
4. G Howe Yamaha 350
5. Dave Vinsen Honda XL175
6. Gary Wendt Honda XL199
7. Dave Black Yamaha TY 250
8. Colin Nelson Honda
9. Sid Bailey Honda TL125
10. Roy Long Yamaha DT 175
Teams AMCC.
Photo top of page: The AC Spark Plugs Team from the Hamilton MCC. Dave Judson (CR/XL150) Jeff Cross Suz TS250 and Roy Long Yam CT 175.
A note on accuracy: I have turned up a few photos and newspaper clippings from the 1974-5 events, though it is difficult sometimes to know precisely when and where photos were taken. Bear in mind this was long time ago and few people had cameras, and camera phones were stuff of science fiction.
Photo contributions: If you have photos from this era that you would like to share please send captioned digital files by email. Files should be . jpg between 800k and 2megs.
jnick@nztrailrider.co.nz