Triumph TF 250-C Claims Its First NZ Title at Burt Munro Challenge
- onthrottle.co.nz
- 18 minutes ago
- 3 min read
TRIUMPH VICTORIOUS AT NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL BEACH RACING CHAMPIONSHIP
It was a Waitangi Day long weekend to remember for Triumph Motorcycles, with the Triumph TF 250-C securing the brand’s first New Zealand national off-road title at the National Beach Racing Championship, held as part of the annual Burt Munro Challenge in Invercargill.
Queenstown rider Alex Garland (19) rode Harry Gregory’s Triumph TF 250-C to a decisive 2–1 result at the championship on Ōreti Beach, taking overall victory in both Garland’s and Triumph’s debut appearance in the iconic event.
Garland was called up as a late replacement after Gregory’s number-one rider, Jonty Richards, was sidelined due to injury, making the trip south with minimal preparation. Remarkably, Garland had never ridden the TF 250-C prior to the event, yet immediately impressed with the bike’s performance in near-factory trim.
“I just gave Harry a call, he put the points up, and I jumped on the bike and went. I’d never seen the TF 250-C before and it was my first time riding it, so to come away with the win is pretty unreal,” Garland said.
The beach racing formula is a reasonably simple one, with a 1-mile-long oval course designated by two turning points and riders racing for four laps before the chequered flag. It’s a format that requires tight lines and a balance of overall speed and acceleration in the soft sandy conditions.
“I’d never been to the Burt Munro or even seen a beach race before. It’s 800m straight down, turn around a cone, and come back—it’s all about carrying speed and turning as efficiently as you can,” Garland said.
After finishing second in the opening race, Garland and Gregory worked in the pits to extract more performance for the demanding one-mile beach circuit, where outright top speed had to be carefully balanced with strong acceleration. Adjustments included fitting a smaller 40-tooth rear sprocket and opening up the factory airbox to improve airflow.
“In the first race our gearing just wasn’t quite there. I was right on the leader but couldn’t get past him,” Garland explained. “We changed the gearing from a 42 to a 40 rear sprocket and that gave me the extra top speed I needed.”
The changes paid off in race two. Garland seized the lead by turn two and maintained his advantage across the fast, flat sands of Ōreti Beach, holding on until the chequered flag to secure the overall victory and the National 250 Beach Racing Championship title.
“Once we made the changes, I got the lead early and just focused on holding it to the line. Knowing I needed to win that race to take the championship made it pretty special.”
“It felt pretty good, not going to lie. Getting to do a wheelie down the beach knowing you’ve just won a national title—that’s a feeling you don’t forget,” he added.
Reflecting on the result, bike owner Harry Gregory was quick to acknowledge the support behind the scenes. “Dean Veitch from McIver & Veitch in Dunedin is an absolute legend. He’s supported us for over 20 years and has always been there with total support,” Gregory said.
The victory marks Triumph Motorcycles’ first New Zealand national championship title since the launch of the TF dirt bike platform in 2025, and represents a major milestone for the brand’s growing off-road racing program.