Motor Sport
It’s official: the 2018 Farm Jam rider line-up is now the biggest and best ever, with FMX and freeriding legends Tyler Bereman (USA), Josh Sheehan (Australia), and Jimmy Hill (USA), as well as mountain bike icon Carson Storch (USA) confirming their attendance to New Zealand’s premier two-wheeled event on February 3.
Twenty-six-year-old whip and freeriding phenomenon Tyler Bereman has never visited Australasia, and is excited to come to New Zealand for an opportunity to ride the Frews freeriding paradise in Southland.
“I’ve watched the Farm Jam videos from the past two events and I’ve been hanging to come down and check it out in person,” says the Temecula-based Bereman. “I was fortunate enough to receive an invitation and I’m so stoked to have the opportunity to come down, hang with the boys, see how the Kiwis do it, and ride my dirt bike in one of the most beautiful settings in the world.”
Jimmy Hill grew up riding dirt bikes in a small Californian ranch town and is excited to ride in a similar setting on the opposite side of the globe.
“I can’t wait to get over there and enjoy the bikes, sights and smells of New Zealand, paired with the ridiculous freeride course,” Hill enthuses. “I’m looking forward to collaborating with the local riders as well – like minds will combine and make for a great time and creative riding.”
Australia’s former Red Bull X-Fighters champion and multi-time X Games medalist Josh Sheehan’s confirmation will mark his first time featuring at the Farm Jam since winning the contest seven years ago in 2011.
Farm Jam organiser Dan Frew is excited to have the FMX field bolstered by some of the world’s biggest names in freestyle and freeriding.
“We always have loads of interest from Australian and New Zealand riders, but Tyler and Jimmy will be the first American to ride Farm Jam FMX, and we’re absolutely stoked to have Sheeny back to see what he can bring to the FMX course,” he explains. “It’s going to be amazing to watch these guys rip up the hills – the spectators are going to be in for a hell of a show.”
Meanwhile, Oregon’s Carson Storch will throw down on the perfectly-sculpted pushbike dirt jumps in his first appearance at Farm Jam.
Storch, 24, is one of a number of internationals who’ll maximise their time in New Zealand, by competing at in the McGazza Fest – a MTB contest in honour of the late, great Kelly McGarry – next weekend, before heading south to the Frew farm for the February 3 event.
“I’ve been following the Farm Jam for years. It looks like such an awesome all-round event, and I am stoked to be part of it this year,” says Storch. “I can’t wait to see the madness that will go down and take part in the good times, led by the masters of good vibes, the Frew brothers.”
Farm Jam organiser Brett Frew says this year’s MTB line-up is the heaviest ever.
“You’ve got a two-time winner in Matt Jones, three Red Bull Rampage riders with Carson, Ryan Howard and our own Conor Macfarlane, as well as a heap of other top-level international guys,” he says. “Then there’s the BMX contest, which has a rider line-up that puts Farm Jam right up there with the best dirt contests in the world. We’re so excited to see what happens in a few weeks’ time.”
Held at the bottom of New Zealand’s spectacular South Island, the Farm Jam combines natural-terrain freestyle motocross, BMX and mountain-bike dirt-jumping. The contest was held annually until 2014 (and now biennially) and attracts thousands of passionate spectators and some of the world’s biggest names in two-wheeled action sports to each event.
As was the case in 2014 and 2016, the 2018 NZ Farm Jam has limited entry spots and all have been filled.
For more information and updates, “Like” Farm Jam on Facebook and follow @farm_jam on Instagram.