Desert Storm

DESCRIPTION: The classic NZ 2 day trail ride in the foothills of Mount Ruapehu. Featuring 130km of trail, camping, catering and evening entertainment. Trails include forestry, creeks, drops offs, hills climbs and firebreaks. Plus optional Expert Only single track challenge trails. This is the biggest epic event and attracts around 800 riders per day.

Mark Penny - High Jumping.

22 Jan 2010

Suzuki Desert Storm Report

From Nick Reader – Event Director

No two Desert Storms are quite the same. The weather and human variables make sure of that…

Saturday midday at Desert Storm with rain falling, I was up near the top of the Western Loop helping put a diversion around the ‘Staircase’ that had been closed by Epic Events staff. I was looking for plan D, because Plan A – the staircase was not rideable, Plan B – Ehu Road and up to the Native Edge proved too tough and was closed, Plan C – Ehu Road then merge with the Douglas Fir section was also tough and had 2 people stuck on it. As it turned out, we closed early at the 2/3rds and everyone made it home in time to watch the Triple Crown. Yes people were NEAR the end of their energy, but they got there AND felt good about the achievement.

The hyped up Triple Crown was great this year with better courses, some faster riders and different race formats. Mark DeLatour (aka D2R who has taken part in the international Extreme Enduro called Romaniacs) was the course designer and we could not shift him from the seat of the digger for 3 days leading up to the Enduro X. (Thanks D2R)

ATV ace Jason Jepson (riding a 2 wheeler) took out the win and a year’s supply of Red Bull. Chris Power won the high jump in 09, but was nowhere in 2010! Maybe the steep up ramp scared him? Mark Penny was shooting for the moon, but unfortunate on take off, he clipped the bar.

Chris asserted his authority in the Enduro X, beating Karl. The course was a bit different with the addition of 3 huge tyres, more logs, the deletion of the first river crossing, 2 options for the river jump, a 4 metre wide course and a new log/rock section. Hats off to all competitors in this event for taking on a tough course and never giving up.

Over to barrel racing and Chris narrowly pipped Karl after a 3 race showdown. The quads had a separate race and showed the 2 wheelers how a barrel race should look with mega sideways action.

So in the final overall standings Chris Power proved to be the man, and vanquished Cousin Karl Power, Mark Penny, Cam Smith and Mark Delatour.

Then of course there is the DS burn out. This is kind of a salute to a great days riding, the crowds gather to the sound of an engine upshifting, the glow of exhaust pipes, the smell of burning rubber….

Now to Sunday the weather was overcast, but not raining. We opened the Eastern loop and the reviews from everyone were fantastic. The Eastern loop has very flowing trails and more of a sandy soil base than the Western so it was whoop and berm city – yee ha. There were a few accidents on the revamped MX track, with a few trail riders trying to be Daryl Hurleys, but coming up a little short. So we opted to close the MX track to keep everyone on track.

Meanwhile I was out with my course managing teammate Ryan Ashurst patching up the Western trail for the hardy souls that took it on. Initially we closed at the 2/3rds while we assessed the tracks. I was determined to make some parts of the Western open. So after assessment, we decided to make all riding above the 2/3rds short cut ‘EXPERT ONLY’. We kept the Picnic table loop open including the famous Moon Expert section, but kept the Staircase and Duncan’s loop closed.

Speaking of the Expert Moon section, this proved really popular amongst the above average riders. This was literally 2.4km of rocky, sandy, tussocky terrain that kept you on your toes. A few quads made the mistake of entering this section, but had to turn back. This was our little taste of ‘Erzberg/Romaniacs type riding’. (Yes we watched too many new Extreme Enduro DVD’s this year).

As well as the Moon Expert, there were another 2-3 new Expert sections inserted this year and this theme will carry on amongst all Epic Trail rides due to their popularity.

We actually had another 4km Challenge trail cut and marked near the end of the Western, but unfortunately we were not able to open this Expert section due to the rain.

So in summary, DS10 proved more popular than 2009 with 1000 riders on Saturday and 900 on Sunday. In 2009, we had about 850 and 750 per day. The challenge factor on Saturday pushed a few people, but the fun factor of the East track on Sunday rounded out a great weekend of riding, camping and entertainment. We already have some great new ideas for DS11.

Next Epic Events

Trail Blazer – Taupo, April 2010.

Look for all Epic motorcycle dates to be announced by mid February.

Triple Crown Results

Red Bull High Jump

1st Jason Jepson

2nd Ari Burt

3rd Mike Gibbons

DRD Enduro X

1st Chris Power

2nd Karl Power

3rd Mark Penny

Skins Barrel Race

1st Chris Power

2nd Karl Power

3rd Mark Delatour

Skins Barrel Race – Quads

1st Jason Jepson

EZ Up/CamelBak Overall Triple Crown

1st Chris Power

2nd Karl Power

3rd Mark Penny

4th Cam Smith

5th Mark DeLatour

DATE

ENTRY

GENERAL INFORMATION

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

DO I HAVE TO BOOK OR PAY TO CAMP? No, camping is free and you just turn up and claim a space. The earlier you get there, the better the camp site.

CAN I MAKE CHANGES TO MY ENTRY FORM? Yes, just find the confirmation e mail you got when you entered and click to edit your order. If you have any problems with this, just e mail your changes to admin "at" epicevents.co.nz

CAN I BRING MY OWN FOOD? Yes for sure.

CAN I ENTER THE TRIPLE CROWN EVENTS ON THE DAY? Yes, but it would be great if you email nick "at" epicevents.co.nz to let us know you are entering before the event.

CAN I HAVE A BRAZIER IN MY CAMP SITE? Yes, but it must be well controlled.

ACCOMMODATION

Ohakune Top Ten Holiday Park

Here are some good solid reasons to make the Park the place to stay for your Desert Storm experience;
1. There are a wide range of options including new 5 star luxury motels, ensuite cabins and basic cabins.
2. The Park has the best parking by far of any accommodation complex in Ohakune. There is heaps of room for trailers and large vehicles.
3. Your host is a Motocross rider - He races a YZF 450 and he is really keen to be part of Suzuki Desert Storm. If you need to clean a filter or sort something in a garage late at night, just ask at reception and you will be well looked after.
4. The Park is located just off the main street of Ohakune so it is close to the event and to the down town restaurants and bars.

To check out the place, have a look at their website www.ohakune.net.nz You can view all the facilities plus check out what is still available if you go to the ‘Book Now' section. Be in quick if you want the 5 star motels.

Our event staff will be staying at the Park, we hope you can join us. Here are the contact details;

Ohakune Top 10 Holiday Park, 5 Moore Street, Ohakune
Phone/Fax 06 385 8561 or Phone 0800 825825

mailto:info@ohakune.net.nz

http://www.ohakune.net.nz/

OHAKUNE COURT MOTEL

Another affordable option is the Ohakune Court Motel. All units are self contained and include stunning mountain views from most rooms. There is plenty of room for parking and the all important Spa. The Owner is a former mechanic and if anyone wants to store bikes in garage that won't be a problem. Situated on Goldfinch street half way between town centre and Junction. Contact on 0800 288 289 for the best price.

Your Hosts - Donald & Ester

101 Goldfinch Street Ohakune New Zealand

Ph +64 6 3858183 Fax +64 6 3858590

info "at" ohakunecourtmotel.co.nz