Taking a Walk - 2015 NZ DH National Champs by cameronmackenzie

The 2015 New Zealand Downhill National Championships kicked off this weekend in Rotorua, New Zealand. For the last 3 years Rotorua has hosted the National Champs and has always been held on the nationals track within the Whakawerawera Forest trail network. The previous track has always been a riders favourite but with Crankworx 2015 coming to Rotorua, The National Champs was the perfect chance for a solid shake down on the track that will be used for the Crankwork DH race. They have reincarnated the old 2006 World Champs. It still features the same gnarly native middle section with lines for Africa but with Skyline Bike Park Rotorua at the foot of the hill, The lower half of track has been changed up and features big bike park style hits, deep berms and Empire of Dirt build style flare all over it.

Riders from all over the country have made the trip up and plenty of overseas riders have come across. With Crankworx so close lots of pros are using this weekends race as an opportunity to get tyres on the track before everyone else and get the extra advantage.

Bernard Kerr made the 20 hour drive up from Queenstown with a few of the other Queenstown transplants in one straight run. He drove to Auckland first to pick up Elliot Jackson and then back down to Rotorua!

First shuttle up for track walk and first riders to lay foot on the new track. Lots of excitement instore.

Drop in from the start ramp and your meet with a full on view of Lake Rotorua.

Paul Langlands, right, is normally seen on a BMX and is well known for his insane style and massive hand built jumps. Paul has been working on the a project in his local hills building the perfect dirt double to send the longest dirt to dirt jump in history. To see Paul out here on course track walking is interesting and tomorrow will tell how he goes on big bike.

Up top the track is wide open through farmland and has lots of off camber shoot to get riders on their toes from the start. Brendan demonstrates how to chop it up and is gutting some ruts started.

Ed Masters taking a big breath. I asked if this was because he was nervous for the following swamp jump. He replied that he let a ripper off but no one thinks that true.

Into the wooded section and off farm land.

Ed showing everyone his hot line.

"This is what my face will look like though here."

The native bush sections are steep and mega multi lined. Line choice was a time consuming process and on steep parts as such, leaning was a smart move.

Elliot Jackson showing off his inner hippy.

The rock gardens start here. As we approached this section the riders swearing also started.

You want rocks? We have lots and lots of rocks.

The lower rock garden is short and steep. Riders were thinking that it might be possible to jump from one bridge to the other but the organisers put in foam pads on the bridge to create a chicane and reduce speeds.

Rain has been slim over the summer here and the dirt conditions on track show.

The craftsmanship on this track is stunning. All bridges on track are solid as and have awesome details like the hand railing on this one.

The Hukkit team boys sizing up the main jump within the lower park section. The jump is a 12 meter double with no case pad and only recently added in injury reduction hay bails. Some of the riders will be opting for the B line on this.

The last shoot of the track is a mad, dry, long off camber featuring no lines and little traction. It will be interesting to see what happens during practice runs.