It all started in 1982 when Yasuo Manzawa visited New Zealand as a Moto-Journalist writing promotional material for the then new Honda TLR200. Stephen's father Allan Oliver was the South Island General Manager for Honda and Stephen was a salesman for Honda in Christchurch. Stephen and Yasuo became friends.
23 years later Yasuo Manzawa read an article in a Japanese trials magazine written by NZ resident Fumio Noguchi. NonStop Adventure NZ was officially launched in November 2004 and Fumio wrote about the Oliver family who have been involved in the sport of trials for three generations.
Yasuo contacted Stephen and visited NZ in 2005, at which time he introduced Stephen to the concept of the Idemitsu Ihatove Trial adventure ride, which resulted in an invitation to the 30th Anniversary event in Japan in 2006 for six members of the Oliver family father, son & grandsons, along with his wife Deborah. Preceding the visit to Japan, TV Iwate sent a crew with Yasuo to NZ early in 2006 to produce a documentary about this fascinating story.
Inaugural Event - February 2010
Ihatove goes international
At the request of the Idemitsu Ihatove Trial management team the inaugural NZ Ihatove Adventure Trial, was held on 20-21 February 2010, a new page in the history of the Ihatove Trial. Through their close ties with NonStop Adventure NZ and the Oliver family many of the event's organizers have visited the Tasman district, and they were convinced that it provided an ideal setting for the first-ever Ihatove event to be held outside Japan. Key riders from Japan including Ihatove Trial Chairman Yasuo Manzawa and top Japanese rider and coach Takumi Narita attended the event. The NZ Ihatove Adventure Trial embodies the Ihatove Spirit of fun, friendship and challenge and builds even stronger links between trials communities in New Zealand and Japan.
NZ Ihatove Adventure Trial
Special permission was given in 2008 by the nephew of the Japanese poet Kenji Miyazawa, who created the word Ihatove (denoting "dreamland"), for naming rights to allow NonStop Adventure to use Ihatove in the title of their event. As the event is supported by the Tasman District Council and held in the Tasman region, the mayor invited riders from Japan to attend and presented gifts to organizers at their 2008 event, which was attended by NonStop Adventure riders. The council gave permission for the use of their logo in the design of the NZ Ihatove Adventure Trial logo.
NonStop Adventure NZ
NonStop Adventure NZ has a proven history in the organisation and running of professional events in NZ including the NZ National Trials Championship in 2006 and the highly successful Oceania Competition in 2009 with Japanese guest rider (Japan's National Trials coach and podium World Outdoor rider) Takumi Narita attending as we work toward this event becoming a tri-nation competition.
Nelson is also the home of the NonStop Adventure Trials Park and training academy (google map) and has successfully promoted the region in top bike magazines Kiwirider, Dirt Rider Downunder
and many overseas magazines and websites.
Its own website has a large number of hits, and visitors from Scotland, Wales, England, Australia, Thailand & Japan have all been drawn to the spectacular scenery and friendly team.
NonStop Adventure have worked with Nelson-based firm Goldpine for many years and support the Goldpine team at Mystery Creek with their professional trials display riding, helping to give Goldpine an edge in attracting crowds to their stand. This partnership helped to secure first place for the Best Large Outdoor site award this year at Mystery Creek Field Days.
NonStop Adventure is working closely with the Tasman District Council to introduce this new sports tourism venture to the region. Mayor Richard Kempthorne personally met with Takumi Narita during his visit in 2009.
History of the Idemitsu Ihatove Trial
Founders Yasuo Manzawa & Shozo Narita (1980's)
Back in 1973 and 1974, Japanese riders Yasuo Manzawa and Shozo Narita rode Honda TL125s in the Scottish Six Day Trial. Having faced all the challenges of that event and experienced Scotland's spectacular scenery, they decided to hold a trial in Japan to give local riders a taste of Scottish-style riding.
Nowadays the Japanese Idemitsu Ihatove event attracts around 500 entrants each year, ranging from first-time novices to All-Japan trials champions. The Ihatove Trial is not a championship event and no license is required to participate.
Here is a link to the Japanese site of the Idemitsu Ihatove Trial.
Although it is in Japanese you will find some interesting photos and videos.
Ihatove website
Our suggestion of menus to look at working down from the top left menu bar -
No. 7 - Videos
No. 8 - Photo History from the first event in 1977
No. 9 - Photos
No.10 - Oliver Family participation in 2006
Day One: Punawai Farm, 88 Valley Road, Wakefield, Nelson
Classes
The NZ Ihatove Adventure Trial consists of three classes, providing challenge and fun for riders of all levels.
Pro Rider
This grade is for experienced intermediate and A-grade riders.
Sports Rider
The sections in this class have an easy, flowing portion followed by a series of more challenging obstacles. This grade is suitable for president/ clubman A/ intermediate riders.
Recreational Rider
This grade is aimed at social / clubman / twin-shock and classic riders.
Scoring
Scoring is in accordance with the Ihatove scoring system using the NonStop rule (i.e. 5-point penalty for stopping in a section) and possible scores of 0,1, 2,3,4,5 (i.e. 4-point penalty for four or more dabs). Since the NonStop rule applies, the key challenge is not so much the size of the obstacles as the need to ride them all in a smooth, flowing style without halting. The 1/2/3/4/5 scoring system reduces the number of tied scores at the end of the day.
Format
Riders leave in groups of three at intervals. This ensures a constant flow of riders through the sections and minimizes queuing.
There are three large loops, taking up to a maximum of two hours each. Riders are not timed on the trail portion of each loop, but there are sections along the route where you record each others scores. In the last part of each loop, riders return to the control area and ride a series of observed sections. Refreshments are available at the control area.
The intention is that Recreational grade riders complete two loops with a third more challenging loop for Sport and Pro riders only.
As this is a high media event it attracts spectators at the control area so to make sure spectators are sufficiently entertained and impressed there are fun optional activities in this area at the completion of your loops. This includes an individual time trial; two-person Goldpine obstacle races and a demonstration of display riding by two or three high profile riders.
Day Two (optional): NonStop Coaching & Adventure Ride: Havelock
Trials Coaching
In 2010 guest coach Takumi Narita in conjunction with Nick Oliver lead a morning session with Sport & Pro riders; while Yasuo Manzawa and Peter Oliver spent time coaching less experienced recreational riders.
Trials Touring
Following a BBQ lunch an optional afternoon of trials touring is offered. This is a chance to enjoy great trails, spectacular scenery and the company of other riders in a relaxed atmosphere.
The intention is to complete this part of the day by 3.00pm for those wishing to catch ferries or make a start home.
Iwate Prefecture is gearing up to welcome the 34th Idemitsu Ihatove Trial, which takes place on August 28-29.
The organizing team has finished the massive job of clearing vegetation from the course and is currently busy setting sections. To give an idea of just how long the course is, this involves a three-day trip for the team, which sets sections along the way and stays in a different location each night. Hard work, but the camaraderie and stunning s . . . Read more »
NZ Ihatove Trial Commemorative Tray
Last February Yasuo and our Japanese friends presented this Joboji-nuri lacquer tray (designed by Yasuo) to the Tasman District Council as an expression of Japan-NZ friendship to mark the holding of the inaugural NZ Ihatove trial.
Since they didn't have a stand for it, they looked for one that would fit over there.
The council has found a perfect stand, and now it is displayed in the showcase in the entrance hall.
Thanks to the foresight of Mr. Norihito Akiyama who is now Japanese importer of GasGas motorcycles from the beginning of this year, GasGas are producing an entry level machine to help get bums on seats.
Norihito was the Scorpa importer for many years previously.
He requested that there was need for GasGas to develop a new multi-purpose 4t bike for Japanese market, and GasGas agreed.
It has Yamaha's 125 4t engine adopted electric starter for beginn . . . Read more »
General Enquiries to Stephen & Deborah Oliver
P O Box 752, Nelson, New Zealand
Tel: 64-3-545 1053 Click to email us
