Otago has its fair share of riders hoping to become the next Ben Townley or Josh Coppins when the three-day New Zealand junior motocross championships begin in Pleasant Point on Friday.
Hosted by the South Canterbury Motorcycle Club, the Chisholm Road event, near Timaru, will see our region's riders vying with the fastest young talent from throughout Australasia.
Event co-organiser Noel May had a trio of podium picks and at the top was Dunedin's Grason Veitch (9) in the 8-10 years, 85cc class.
"He's put a big effort into it. He's been doing a lot of training. Fingers crossed he could win it."
Grason has had two victories in this class recently - at the Hasler Memorial Motocross and the South Canterbury Championships - and two thirds in 8 to 11yrs 85cc classes at the Southland Motocross Championships and the Karl Miller Memorial Motocross.
His father Dean Veitch confirmed Grason's ambitions for the national title.
"He wants it big time."
Other regional riders with a shot at the podium were Sam Cuthbertson, of Dunedin, in the 13 to 16 years 85cc category, May said.
"He's been really on fire lately."
Balclutha's Josh Hurring (15 to 16 years, 125cc) has also "been riding really well" but will have his work cut out in a traditionally tough class that attracts the cream of the country's riders, May added.
Motorcycling photojournalist Andy McGechan anticipated Hurring would face a fierce battle with riders such as Katikati's Garth Amrein, Atiamuri's Hadleigh Knight, Kumeu's Chase Smith and Pahiatua's Scott Sowry.
The national championships feature racing in seven separate age-group and bike capacity classes, with five races for each category.
