IN FOCUS: SYKLINE MX EVENT
You should have already seen all kinds of social posts about the upcoming Skyline MX event on November 27th. With this being the inaugural event, we caught up with the man behind the scenes, Mark Pilcher to find more out about this exciting new event.
TD: How did the Skyline MX Track come about? Any history on the track or property?
MP: The Track was born in lockdown 2020 on Andrew Findlay’s property as his boys both race and he has a pretty handy site for the creation of a track. So as farmers, they got out the machines and built the basics of the track for practice. Since then it was left to grow maize until the Skyline idea came about. After a lot of work thanks to the help of Karapiro Hire for the machines, the track is now complete and is very wicked! The site itself is stunning and has views from Raglan to Ruapehu (hence Skyline). Jonny Edwards and Darryl have been in charge of track build and both of them have been testing it over the last couple of months. The only others to ride it prior to this event was the Kawi Girls ride day.
Views are stunning at Skyline.
What was the idea behind running a large scale event?
Like all good things, it was born over a couple of beers. Andrew was chatting to me one day at Cambridge club day about his idea of holding an event on his property. I have a long history in motor racing events and team management but all to do with F1 feeder series - never Moto. I do however have a 9 year old who has been racing for a few years and I see a massive opportunity in MX. The sport is fantastic with passionate competitors and being an awesome spectacle of racing. So Andrew felt there was a gap in Moto events and with the central location of Cambridge and timing of the event so we decided to have a go.
What is the Skyline MX team hoping to achieve from this event?
Just a great couple of days out for the competitors and guests. We will host up to 400 guests in corporate hospitality on site with lunch and drinks , a lot of them are not from the Moto scene so can only be a good thing. Competitors will camp onsite for the Friday and Saturday night and we are very keen on the social side, getting everyone together and having a good time. We have further plans for 22 if this is a success.
Can anyone come and check the event out on the day or will you need to pre-purchase tickets?
To be honest we have not committed to General Admission tickets as the parking and access may be an issue depending on the number of competitors camping. We will host 300 guests in the hospitality area (at this stage 24 of 30 tables sold) and these will be the bulk of the spectators. Of course the riders and their supporters will make up further numbers. We are hopeful to release a cash bar and corporate experience for a further 100 people. We are in the throes of deciding if an expansion of this with a cost effective option to public could happen. A few issues around parking, resource consent, etc still need to worked through.
You already have a few big names confirmed like Cody Cooper - who else is lined up to compete.
Most of the big teams will be competing; JCR Yamaha, CML KTM, Kawisaki NZ are all sending factory race teams. A good crew from Nelson will also be travelling up for it, plus a host of top privateer riders too. Keep checking out social accounts for other big names attending.
Recent Kawi Girls event at Skyline.
This event is shaping up to be something pretty special and when the 40 man gate is full in each class - that’s it.
The Race day program will include rider of the day award voted, by the lunch guests, a Holeshot competition during round 2 of the racing with prize money up for that. A Happy Hour BBQ on Friday night, and the 300 corporate guests for lunch in a seated environment under marquee with timing screens and DJ will really put this event on the map.
For more information check out the Skyline MX Event on their Facebook Page or Instagram.
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