The greatest show north of Rotovegas is due to kick off this Sunday, 21st September, at Hunua.... thats right, The great Auckland MTB R&R Sport Spring Series round 2 is THIS WEEKEND !!!!

The first round at Woodhill talked up a storm.. literally!!, with 170 riders coming out to enjoy Woodhills awesome trails, and entries are climbing quickly for Hunua.

The Auckland MTB Club have come up with a 5.5km recreational loop (The River Trail), and a variation on previous events combining a new trail in an awesome 8.5km loop for the rest. There is approx 3.5km of gravel road, so perfect for those roadies who want to come and mix it up with the XC guys and gals.

As per previous years, Best three results from the four races are counted towards your series total. You must start the final round and 2 other rounds to be eligible.

Dates remaining are as follows:
Round 2: Sunday 21st September 2008 Hunua
Round 3: Sunday 19th October 2008 McNut Farm, Helensville
Round 4: Sunday 16th November 2008 Whitford

Changes this year include:
- $480 per round!! for Open men, Open Woman and Singlespeed!! Prize money down to 5th place in open mens, open woman, and single speed classes. 1st=$180, 2nd=$120, 3rd=$80, 4th=$60, 5th=$40
- New points system, 1 point per place of finish, ie: 1st=1 point, 2nd=2 points, 3rd= 3 points... This should encourage competition further down the series to the bitter end.

There will be 18 classes , Expert Men (4 age group classes), Expert Open Woman, Sport Men (2 age group classes), Sport Woman (2 age group classes), Junior (3 classes for male and female), Recreational class (Men and Woman) and of course .....Singlespeed.
(Note: Final classes will be determined by series entries. Age groups and classes (Sport/ Expert) maybe consolidated after discussion with entrants at the first round to achieve classes of at least 5 riders.)

Something for every one... enter online NOW!!! ..... http://www.aucklandmtb.co.nz/default.asp?PageID=10572 .....Online entries open untill midnight Friday the 19th September.
or contact Grant Ogilvie 021 521 524

Please note that Auckland Regional Council have advised us that they are taking steps to manage Kauri Collar Rot, and they are asking all competitors to take extra care in cleaning mud and dirt from footwear and bikes....e mail from ARC Parks follows....

Can you please forward to you members prior to your event next weekend, and ask if they can clean/sterilise tyres and footwear, particularly if any participants have been in the Waitakere Ranges. At this stage, it appears that the Hunuas are PTA free, and we are implanting a range of control measures to manage the threats.

On the day of your event, we will have mats present on site where we would like participants to wheel their bicycles over, and step on. The chemical in the mats neutralises the disease (similar to when you go through customs and have boots sterilised.)

Please contact me if you have any queries or concerns.

cheers

Wayne Carlson
Senior Ranger – Recreation/Education
Southern Parks
Auckland Regional Council