The 2027 Yamaha New Zealand Motocross Championships fire into life this November with two of the four rounds staged at two iconic locations, set to herald in the next crop of world beaters.

Motocross has a long history in New Zealand that traces its roots right back to the very first speedway racing held in the country in 1923. But the true sport of motocross did not evolve in New Zealand until 1951, when the first New Zealand Scrambles Championship was run and won by M. Martick riding a Velocette.

Scrambles soon became motocross, and over the past 74 editions, the Championship has produced some of the world’s very best riders. In 1996, Shayne King, of Taranaki, won the 500cc World Motocross Championship. His brother Darryll King, along with Josh Coppins, of Motueka, came excruciatingly close.

Ben Townley, of Taupo, won the MX2 World Motocross Championship in 2004 and Cole Davies, of Waitoki, is the most recent Kiwi rider to shine on the world’s highest stage, winning the 2026 AMA Supercross East and 2026 AMA Motocross Championships earlier this year. Among them are a long list of riders who also performed at the highest levels, including, Daryl Atkins, of Tokoroa, Daryl Hurley, of Hawera, Cody Cooper, of Papamoa, the list goes on.

“New Zealand has a knack of producing exceptional riders,” offers Motorcycling New Zealand President Mac McLeod. “We do not know quite what that magic sauce is, but we know our tracks are regarded as some of the best in the world. We also know that our motocross athletes are completely dedicated to the sport and we are now seeing a new crop of riders emerging and with the guidance of past champions, like Shayne King, Ben Townley, Daryl Hurley, Cody Cooper and others. Having those riders giving back to the sport is setting us up for a bright future here in New Zealand.”

“Having a rider like Cole Davies achieve what he has in American motocross and supercross puts New Zealand squarely in the sights of the international teams, and provides inspiration for the next generation.”

The 75th edition roars to life in Tokoroa on November 14, 2026. Hosted by South Waikato Motorcycle Club, at its iconic Amisfield MX Track – the same track that saw historic battles between Darryll and Shayne King, and local supercross specialist Daryl Atkins, through the late '80s and early '90s.

Amisfield is a thrilling track with big jumps and fast sections that form up with rough sections that will test the fitness of the riders through the race day.

The 2027 Yamaha New Zealand Motocross Championships then move to Patetonga Motorcycle Club’s motocross track on November 28. Patetonga presents a completely different soil structure with slick red clay and axle-eating ruts the main challenges for the riders. Staged along a ridgeline, the track includes big jumps and drop-offs, making it a favourite for spectators.

Following Patetonga, the series breaks for summer, before resuming under the mountain at Taranaki’s Rockworkz track on February 20, 2027 and concluding at the picturesque Horohoro Bluffs MX track at Rotorua on February 27, 2027.

“The tracks we have in this championship series are some of our best – varied for the riders and well-designed for spectators,” offers Motorcycling New Zealand Operations Manager Vicky Hicks. “The strength of these events comes down to the quality of the clubs involved, and that’s true across the board for motocross throughout New Zealand. We are very fortunate to have so many passionate people driving the sport forward with us.”

Racing will be contested across five divisions at each round: The premier MX1 (450cc machines) class, MX2 (250cc machines), WMX women’s class, MX125 (125cc machines) development class and the MX3 support class.

2027 Yamaha New Zealand Motocross Championships

Round 1 14th November 2026 Amisfield, South Waikato

Round 2 28th November 2026 Patetonga, Waikato

Round 3 20th February 2027 Rockworkz, Taranaki

Round 4 27th February 2027 Horohoro Bluffs, Rotorua

Gates open: 8am

Adults: $20

Child/Student (5-18 years): $10

Family: $40

Kids under 5: Free