All is set for the Hogs Breath Caf̩ A4DE and next week the hills around Coffs Harbour will come alive to the sound of dirt bikes.
Equal favorite for outright honors for the A4DE Multiple World champion Stefan Merriman had a huge crash in a recent Italian Championship event and suffered a dislocated shoulder forcing him to DNF the event and blowing his chances of another title, but Stefan had the shoulder under ice and sorted quickly and is now focused on the A4DE.
Stefan won the A4DE event outright in 2005 and is keen to repeat that feat, but he knows the level here in Australia has risen somewhat since his last appearance on home soil. Aprilia here have really got behind Stefan's appearance and many fans are looking forward to hearing the big V twin in action.
The other favorite of course being Brit David Knight who is in great form and his sponsor KTM rank the A4DE as one of their "have to win" events in this country.
Knighter and Merriman are no strangers they have duked out world championships before and it s going to be an awesome clash!
The inception of the Yamaha National Off Road Championship in 2006 has lifted the bar here and several riders are on World Championship pace week in week out including current Aussie Champ Honda's AJ Roberts and Yamaha's Jarrod Bewley and Chris Hollis.
Honda has not won this event for a long time and with AJ and recent Finke Desert race winner Ben Grabham both on fire they have a damn good shot at it.
Suzuki are also fielding a strong team for the first time in many years with US based Glenn Kearney and Josh Strang, and there's a full compliment of New Zealanders so don't be surprised if riders from "Down under" give the two firm favorites a very hard time.
Event conditions are looking good at this stage despite 6 inches of rain last week around Coffs area, but thankfully major rain was further down the coast with devastating effect around the Maitland area.
Riders should enjoy great conditions for the event and that will make for great spectating especially at the Honda Test ridden daily at Lowanna and days 1 & 3 at Ulong where 3 tests are visible from the town centre.
Also each day there will be a special test at Coramba sports ground at the Parc Ferme and as always Parc Ferme will be a hive of activity through the daily work periods.
Don't forget each night at the Coffs Hogs Breath caf̩ DVD action from the days action will be played from 6.30pm and on Tuesday night 3rd of July from 7.00pm at Coffs Harbour ex servicemans club there is a "meet and greet" event straight after riders briefing where you will hear from all the off road heroes. Cost is $10 and tickets to this must be Pre-Ordered and there will be finger food - call Jo on 0438 280675 before Sunday 1st July to reserve your spot.
