Possibly the largest dirt quarter-pipe was built in preparation for the event. This was well received by all riders and attracted a lot of use.
Farm Jam 2016 was dedicated to Kelly McGarry, who sadly passed away days before the event. In previous years Kelly was a competitior in the event who also helped build the jumps and lines, and also the media box at the top of the track. His many friends paid tribute to his memory in the best way they know how, and the way Kelly would’ve been stoked on.
Farm Jam is a bi-annual event featuring the best NZ Freestyle motocross, BMX and mountain bike riders. Set up at the Frew farm in the Otapiri Gorge near Winton in Southland, there’s so much room for riders of all three disciplines to make heaps of noise and do huge tricks.
A half-pipe was built in the wool shed so riders could still ride if the jump track couldn’t be ridden, such as if it was raining or to windy.
Riders rode the track from nine in the morning till dark, riders loved how the track flowed so well and being able to boost all the jumps with little effort.
England’s Matt Jones competed at the event and won the Pros division and also took out best trick with a double backflip.
Dirt was on the menu for most riders during the weekend, most having a fall. Luckily the dirt was pretty forgiving.
Riders had multiple line choices, and with some lines blended together riders started copying each other’s lines.
No matter how high the riders got they were always treated with an awesome view across the Otapiri Gorge.
The two Red Bull jumps had the biggest tricks thrown down on them, from a double backflip to a triple tailwhip.
Supermans seemed to be the trick of choice for most riders.
Around 40 riders competed between 3 divisions: the Bros, the Pros, and Mountain bikes.
A large crowd turned up to watch the event, numbers were estimated to be a couple thousand.
Clothing brand ilabb sponsored the event, making Farm Jam apparel such as hats, rain jackets and shirts.
Red Bull was the major Sponsor of the event, bringing some of the top BMX riders from around the world to the event, including Mike “Hucker” Clark, Kris Fox and Jayden Leeming. Red Bull also brought long their awesome Hummer with a DJ set-up in the back.
Levi Sherwood and his girlfriend Ellie Chew watch the BMX and MTB divisions. Ellie managed to show some of the guys up on the track during practice riding a BMX handbuilt by Levi.
Garf Morgans was helped of the course after attempting a side saddled backflip. During practice Garf threw down some awesome tricks including a double peg grab superman.
Kyle Baldock crashed on the last jump, having to be seen by the medics.
Kyle Baldock celebrates after nearly landing a chinga flip (double backflip tailwhip) during the finals round.
Lewis Woods takes a break between FMX finals. Although mostly a motocross racer, Woods showed his worth with huge whips and big tricks.
Levi Sherwood was the biggest name in the FMX comp and as everyone expected he took out best whip and the overall comp.
The FMX comp drew the biggest crowd at Farm Jam, and they weren’t disappointed.
The whip off comp was won by Levi Sherwood.
FMX riders flew high up above the Otapiri Gorge.
