The Yamaha Sponsored, 2019 New Zealand Enduro Champs heads South on June 19th & 20th for the final two rounds, starting at the Seaview Hall in Hokitika. Sponsors luck too, sees current overall points leader, Yamaha mounted Seth Reardon, head into the final two days with a 23 point buffer over Cambridge rider Beau Taylor. We caught up with the Wanganui local with a week left till go time!

The Dirt: How does it feel to be leading the NZ Enduro champs with only two rounds to go down south?

Seth Reardon: It feels really awesome to be leading the National Enduro at this point in the series, but it’s not over yet. It would be a dream come true if I won the title this year.

TD: Besides obviously pretty well, how has your season been going so far and how has each round been?

SR: Whangamata, all the top guys were all there, great competition. Tokoroa was also a challenging day, had a couple of crashes. Wellington, was running a solid day in third against Tom and Dylan but lost section time. Martinborough had a really good day, felt good on the bike and really enjoyed the track. Masterton, enjoyed the track, was cautious and wanting to maintain my championship lead.

TD: You’’re racing in the 250F class. Why this class in particular?

SR: I prefer 4 strokes and I find the small bore class suits me at this stage.

TD: You are a current Yamaha Motor New Zealand sponsored rider. How did you end up on the NZ team?

SR: I started riding a Yamaha YZ250FX about 3 years ago. I love the bike and really gel with it in the Enduro scene and the fast pace x-country’s as well. I approached Bailey Motorcycles in Hawera and they took me on and managed to get me on the Yamaha team, which is working really well for me. Josh and Amy Coppins,along with Paul Whibley have been so encouraging and supportive this season.

TD: What were you riding before joining Yamaha and what kind of events have you grown up racing?

SR: Before I started racing my Yamaha I was on a Suzuki RM-Z250 & RMX450 for a couple of years with good support from Suzuki NZ. I used to compete in all the Central XC and Enduro events and local MX, as well as a few of one off national events.

TD: You’re still quite new to National level Enduro racing - are you surprised that you are leading the championship overall.

SR: This is my first year competing in Expert in the National Enduro championship series. In previous years I have entered a few National Enduro events but never the entire series. I am surprised with how far I’ve come this year, but I am really happy to be up there with some of NZ best riders. 

TD: What has coaxed you to the off-road side of racing, as opposed to the MX side?

SR: I rode my first Enduro at the age of 12 and fell in love with the sport. I grew up trail riding with dad and enjoyed the challenges and technical side of trail riding.

 TD: Is there anyone you grew up watching and who you are now racing against?

SR: I grew up watching all the fast MX riders like Josh Coppins and Ben Townley, and have always had great respect for Enduro/XC riders like Paul Whibley, Adrian Smith and Chris Birch. I am lucky to have Paul giving me guidance throughout my racing this year.

TD: What does a day in the life of Seth Reardon look like away from dirt bikes?

SR: I work hard building boats and during the week in my spare time when I’m not riding my dirt bike I enjoy going to CrossFit, catching up with my family and friends and just generally being outdoors.

TD: What is it that motivates you about this sport?

SR: I live to ride motorbikes, I love accomplishing my goals, and I like to make my friends, supporters and family proud.

 Seth would like to thank the following sponsors for supporting him during his racing career.

Bailey motorcycles | Beancounter 24/7 | W&W construction | BluCru YamahaNZ | Boss engineering | JCR | PWR | Yamalube | Forbes and Davies | Dunlop tyres | Eks goggles | JW Seatcovers | Northern Accessories | Wanganui Motorcycle club | Bush riders Motorcycle club | Edmonds painting

I would also like to thank all my family and friends and my fellow competitors, I would not be where I am today without their help.

Thanks to JW Photography for the use of the images - check her Facebook page out BY CLICKING HERE.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE