McHardy takes to the sky for Suzuki demonstrations

Suzuki NZ are holding motocross demonstrations twice a day at Fieldays for riders to show off some amazing tricks.

Supermans, indian airs and seat grabs: Suzuki has it covered at Fieldays. The impressive display of motor bike aerobatics is on display twice a day for crowds to view in the demonstration area.

LIVING DANGEROUSLY: Mitch McHardy is riding twice a day for the whole week of Fieldays. Photo: Rickki Turnwald
LIVING DANGEROUSLY: Mitch McHardy is riding twice a day for the whole week of Fieldays. Photo: Rickki Turnwald

Suzuki NZ have been holding the demonstration for many years during Fieldays, not only showing the crowd amazing tricks, but also what the bikes are capable of.

Organiser Mary Perkins said, “It’s not a farm bike, it’s a performance motocross bike. They are made for jumping, racing and freestyle motocross. We are just demonstrating the bike and freestyle motocross, bringing a bit of entertainment to the Fieldays.”

Freestyle rider Mitch McHardy has been riding for Suzuki for four years, but has been impressing people with his skills since he was younger when he first got into the sport.

Freestyle motocross has grown over the years with vast media coverage. Crusty Demon and Nitro Circus tours have helped with the significant popularity in the extreme sport.

HIGH FLIER: Mitch has been riding Suzuki for four years. Photo: Rickki Turnwald
HIGH FLIER: Mitch has been riding Suzuki for four years. Photo: Rickki Turnwald

“Yeah, it’s definitely grown in New Zealand. It’s a mainstream sport these days, there’s not a lot of guys in the country that will do it,” Perkins said.

Organiser Mary Perkins is a well-known name in freestyle motocross worldwide. Over the years she has toured with the Crusty Demons and also set a world record for largest jump by a woman.

Unfortunately crashes are part and parcel of the extreme sport with Perkins experiencing this first hand.

“I have been riding since I was 16, retired in 2008 because I smashed my body up so badly I had to,” Perkins said.

McHardy will be proving his talent for the rest of the week at Fieldays. Demonstrations go for ten minutes, twice a day, 12.30 and 3.30.