The annual Summercross festival will not be waving the white flag anytime soon, despite a small drop in participation numbers this year.

Held on December 28 and 29 at Awakaponga, the festival attracted slightly fewer riders and spectators but continued to provide an enjoyable spectacle.

While the likes of Cody Cooper, Hamish Harwood and other top MX1 riders were missing, and Josiah Natske was forced out early, it was still a fabulous weekend of racing that featured plenty of new faces.

Bay of Plenty Motorcycle Club vice president Symon Hall, who also helps prepare the track for racing, said it was an enjoyable weekend with plenty of entertaining races.

Many of the riders were new to the Summercross event, which Hall said was exciting.

"It's good to see. Our numbers in the mini classes, held on Saturday, were up and that's great to see because it's the future of our sport."

Some of the older junior riders even competed in the youth class the following day.

A highlight of the event was seeing two of New Zealand's top Superbike racers Mitch Rees and Tony Rees, swap the tarseal and road circuits for the mud and dust of Awakaponga.

Only a couple of days earlier they were in sublime form at the Cemetery Circuit in Whanganui on Boxing Day - an annual road race.

"I was talking to Tony, and he said he hadn't been out on his bike in years, so it was great to have him compete, and Mitch managed to finish third overall in the MX1 class," Hall said.

The talented Aydan Hall was one of the best local riders, finishing third in the youth class. Darren Capill was second in the veterans 45 plus class while Tony Rees was fourth.

"It was a pretty demanding track, but all the local riders did well."

Hall was pleased with how the event went overall.

"It was a cool event. There was lots of good racing, the new section that we put in worked really well for the spectators, the sun was out – what more could you ask for?

"The rain leading up to the event worked perfectly. It was a great atmosphere across the two days."

Hall said they wanted to maintain Summercross as a family event.

"We want families to come here and enjoy it, whether that is every second year. It's all about the family nature."

"It's an event that is never going away. We have fantastic sponsors that look after the event so well. In the future we may have to look at streamlining it, but we don't want to do that.

“There are avenues to save more money, but we want to keep it how it is. Camp with your mates, have fun and race bikes."

Hall said the camping component proved popular this year with about 100 people choosing to stay at the track.

The full selection of photos taken at Summercross 2024 can be viewed at the Beacon office in Pyne Street.

TAKING THE BEND: Cambridge rider Jared Hannoncontrols his way around a corner. E5164-2021