Encounter FMX set to Thrill Spectators at Waikato Winter Show!

Hamilton residents can look forward to heart-stopping thrills at the Waikato Winter Show this year as motorcycles stunt display from Encounter FMX has been confirmed. This year’s Waikato Winter Show will be held on April 30th – May 2nd with the Encounter FMX stunt rider’s performances on Sunday May 2nd.

Riders who have been scheduled to ride at the event are Nick Franklin and Ryan Laskey. Spectators can expect to see heart-stopping tricks performed on motorcycles including back flips by Nick Franklin.

Franklin recently took out the winning place at the FMX Battle which was held in Wanganui in late December. Competitors included fellow kiwis, and also Australian riders. Laskey is an up and coming rider who recently proved himself by taking first place at the BDO FMX competition. Laskey has a reputation as a precise rider who consistently gets the audiences adrenaline pumping.

The FMX display, which will be broken up into several short brackets, will include interviews with the riders, spot prizes, and autograph signings. Encounter FMX merchandise will also be available for purchase.

Encounter FMX shows are run by ‘Scary’ Mary Perkins, ex-crusty demon, who lives in the Bay of Plenty. Injuries incurred by a serious accident about a year ago prevent Perkins from riding, but her experience in the industry means she puts together a thrilling family show.

The Show

Also commonly known as FMX, freestyle motocross finds its origins in the sport of motocross and has emerged as one of the fastest growing high-adrenaline sports of the new millennium while also being one of the most watched sports at the various extreme sports competitions.

Unlike traditional motocross, freestyle motocross places less emphasis on high speeds, but on the abilities of daredevil riders who perform thrilling and death-defying stunts high in the air. The mesmerizing jumps are usually performed over a stretch of up to 100 feet with the combination of suspense, danger and the unknown providing an excellent form of entertainment for various shows and events.

Encounter FMX freestyle motocross exhibitions can fit a wide variety of formats. These shows can be arranged to fit into any type of itinerary or even turn into a show of its own. Each show is a choreographed routine specialized to fit the particular event. These shows consist of high-flying, action-packed FMX jumping along with crowd interaction, autograph signings, and free giveaways.

History of the Sport

Back in the 1960s, people didn’t know what hit them when “Evel Knievel’s” stunt show rolled into town. He was a fast-living, high-flying, hard-drinking man that kept the world on its toes by constantly defying the odds. By the time the mid-1990s came around, it was time to pass that torch onto a new generation that would revolutionize motorcycle jumping.

This group of riders took inspiration from sports like BMX and started applying them to their riding.

In the beginning, FMX was run by the guys who were like Evel Knievel. They were the bad boys of the FMX world and they called themselves the Metal Mulisha. Brian Deegan is a part of that group, and at that time he was most famous for ghost-riding his bike over the finish line after he won the 125 AMA Supercross race at the LA Coliseum.

Development of Encounter FMX

Encounter FMX started as a few FMX ramps that were built in 2005 for Impact World Tour, which then lead onto a number of performances at others events around New Zealand and finally into a full time business throughout the summer months for Encounter FMX.

Encounter FMX has worked with events from Crusty Tours to local A&P Shows; corporate parties to youth camps.

Managing Director, Mary Perkins, co-ordinates and choreographs the shows, and also rides in them. Along side managing Encounter FMX, Mary works as a motivational speaker, and also works for one of her sponsors, Smith Optics, marketing their product.

Construction of Ramps

The Encounter FMX portable landing and launch ramps were the first of their type in New Zealand and have been able to provide event promoter easy access to the sport, and the opportunity for more riders to become professional.

The Encounter FMX launch ramp is a sturdy one-piece ramp. Encounter FMX landing ramp is mounted on a truck – it folds out for use and folds back for easy transportation.

Cutting out the inconvenience of dirt, equipment and operators, which are all added and costly expenses, Encounter FMX brings the full experience of a FMX show to you. The ramps were designed by Mary Perkins and built with the help of Mary’s dad, John Perkins.

The process of setting up and taking down a FMX stunt show is a quick and easy routine which the Encounter FMX setup crew has mastered.

Tricks that you could expect to see

Tricks are the bread and butter of freestyle motocross riders. Basic FMX tricks include no footed can cans, heelclickers and nac nacs while more advanced maneuvers range from hart attacks to kiss of deaths as well a the backflip.

Can Can - Takes one foot off foot peg and bring it over the seat so that both legs are on one side of the bike. For additional style points, land in the Can Can position.

Cliffhanger - While in the air, stands straight up and catch the underside of the handlebars with toes. Place hands above in the rollercoaster position.

Coffin and Lazy Boy - For the coffin, extend legs in front of bike below the handlebars and lie back on the seat as far as possible. For the lazy boy, release the handlebars and extend arms back over head. More points are scored the farther the arm and leg extension.

Dead Body - Place body over the front of the bike while holding the bars and keep entire body horizontal with the bike.

Double Grab - Grab the back of the motorcycle with both hands while extending the body off the back of the bike.

Hart Attack - Point both legs pointing straight up in the air while performing the superman.

Indian Air - Extends and cross legs during a trick in a scissor motion.

Kiss of Death - While in the air, position the bike as close to vertical as possible then kick legs up above head.

Nac Nac - While leaving the jump, whip the bike sideways, remove front leg and swing it

around behind the bike to the other side. Look back for additional points.

No Footer - Remove both feet from pegs when landing.

Nothing - Remove both hands and feet when landing.

Rock Solid - Perform the Superman Seat Grab, release the seat and extend both arms away from the bike so that the bike is completely detached. Grab the seat and remount the bike after catching enough air.

9 O’clock Nac - Lift one foot off the footpeg and raise leg up and over bike seat. While both legs are on one side of the bike, lift the other foot off the foot peg and extend both legs away from the bike.

Superman - Release both feet and kick them straight back.

Superman Seat Grab - Extend legs backwards with hands on grips. Release one hand and grab seat to increase distance of extension.

Tsunami - Perform headstand in front to handlebars while keeping bike horizontal and level.

Rider Biographies

Participant: Nick Franklin

D.O.B.: 10/09/1981

Location: Tokoroa, New Zealand

Achievements:1st FMX Battle NZ Championship

2nd IFMXF World Championship

1st in European Hardcore FMX Championship

Crusty Demons rider

1st NZ rider to achieve on international scene

1st NZ X-Air x3 times

3rd placing at a Red Bull X-Fighters event

1st NZ rider to back flip

Nick Franklin lives and breaths FMX, he is always traveling and performing his amazing bag of tricks to eager fans in demos on the Red Bull X-Fighters World Series tour. Nick has been an innovator and leading NZ athlete for many years building a reputation as a solid rider with a large amount of technical tricks which he always lands consistently, this makes him a stand out when it come to demo time on the X-Fighter tour stops. He is always pushing the envelope in new tricks to further his progression in the sport.

When at home Nick likes to relax in his home town and get some practice sessions in on developing his tricks for the next tour.

Participant: Ryan Laskey

Location: Palmerston North, New Zealand

Achievements: 1st Boys Day Out Competition 2010

6th FMX Battle NZ Championship 2009

2nd Freestyle Sports Open 2007

Encounter FMX team rider

Coming back from career threatening injuries, Laskey is out to prove he still has what it takes to be one of the best. Ryan has been making his mark on the scene once again here in NZ with some impressive results. In the most recent FMX competition, Boys Day Out, Ryan Laskey took home the number one placing and has proved he is a solid performer with a promising career ahead of him. He has toured with the Crusty Demon's and now as part of Encounter FMX will bring you a world class show of his talents.

Frequently Asked Questions

What training does FMX involve?

Being physically strong and fit prevents injuries in all sports so this is very important for FMX riders to have a good training program on and off the bike. To learn new tricks takes reputation to learn the skill to complete the trick.

Foam pits are also available to ride at but there are only 2 private pits in New Zealand and

are very costly to build or hire for use.

How do you get started into the sport?

All FMX riders start by learning the basic techniques of riding a dirt bike. It is beneficial to have experience in motocross racing as this gives you more advanced skills which are needed for FMX.

Is there a competitive circuit in New Zealand?

There is no competitive series in New Zealand for FMX but there is a competition each year for the riders to test their skills against each other.

Is FMX a dangerous sport?

If held in the wrong conditions or with the wrong equipment FMX can be very dangerous but we make every effort to minimize any risks for riders and spectators. The area needs to be secure so riders jumping know it is safe at all times. Encounter FMX ramps come with a large safety airbag encase of any bike failure or rider misjudgment.

Do you use special gear for FMX?

Freestyle motocross riders generally use the same equipment as typical motocross racers. A large range of apparel is available in the market today designed primarily for protection as well as for style. Motocross clothing typically include boots, helmets, jerseys, pants, gloves and goggles most of which are brightly colored and designed to minimize

injury in the event of an accident. Additional gear such as chest protectors as well as knee and elbow pads should also be used for added protection.

What types of bikes are used?

FMX riders use 250cc engines in their bikes, either 4-stroke or 2-stroke. These are high performance motorcycles that are fine tuned for FMX. Because there is no room for error in this sport the bikes need to be prepped before each ride and regularly maintained to a high standard.

Are FMX bikes modified?

Seats are sometimes shaved down to allow for a wider range of movement and to allow a firm grip when performing various tricks. The modifications made to the bikes are largely responsible for the state of the sport today as without which the numerous thrilling jumps seen today would otherwise be impossible.

Waikato Winter Show,Sunday 2nd May ,Claudelands.