Nine-year-old Taupo rider James Drought is the first New Zealander invited to compete at the Ohvale Guangzhou Super Cup, which will be held in China next week.
Nine-year-old New Zealand road racer James Drought goes 1-1-1-1 for a clean sheet at Round 3 of the Australian MotoMini 110 Cup held at Monarto, South Australia, Australia, August 8-9, 2026. Photo: RbMotoLens
The 2026 Ohvale Guangzhou Super Cup runs from August 17-24 and includes opening ceremonies and cultural exchanges before racing takes place, August 20-23 at the purpose-built Guangzhou Conghua International Circuit. Drought is one of 80 riders who have been selected from 20 countries to compete at the event.
This is the second edition of the event, which aims to “promote communication and cooperation between Chinese and global youth motorcycle programs thanks to one common denominator: the passion for motorcycle racing”.
“My goal is to come top 10, maybe top five if I can,” smiles Drought, from Hong Kong, while travelling on his way to Guangzhou with his family. “My biggest challenge will be the heat in China. I’ll be riding a manual bike, too, but I am good with that.”
Drought has been riding the automatic purpose-built Ohvale bikes in Australia, but will step up to the four-speed manual version for Guangzhou. It’s a transition that is easier for him given he has a motocross background riding geared 65cc bikes back home in New Zealand.
Drought is coming off a high after winning all four races in challenging conditions at Round 3 of the Australian MotoMini 110 Cup held at Monarto, South Australia, last weekend (August 8-9, 2026). That effort, backed up by a second overall in each of the first two rounds, puts him into title contention.
Drought is just 13 points off series leader Xavier Tonna with two rounds remaining in the Australian series.
“I was quite happy and stoked that I came first,” he admits. “The fact that it was wet was an advantage to me, because I’ve been doing some training in the wet. I train in Tokoroa and it is like ice at times and that’s what it was like at Monarto.”
In his third race, Drought ran wide on a corner but was able to recover. “I went a bit wide and ran onto the grass and so I turned it back slowly and put my feet down just to stabilise the bike,” he recalls. “I managed to bring it back on the track. That gave my rival a three and a half second lead, so I had to reel him and I was able to pass him – I gave it gas and no brakes into that corner and was able to get right around the outside of him.”
Drought said he had a bit more confidence in the wet and hoped for some wet track conditions to close out the Australian MotoMini 110 Cup’s last rounds to be staged in New South Wales in September and Victoria in October.
James Drought goes 1-1-1-1 for a clean sheet at Round 3 of the Australian MotoMini 110 Cup held at Monarto, South Australia, August 8-9, 2026. He shares the podium with second-placed Xavier Tonna and third-placed Finn Bradbury. Photo: RbMotoLens
Drought’s mother Nicole said their experience in Australia this season had been beneficial in preparing for China.
“China is a new track and a new bike, but he is used to it because of Aussie,” Nicole explains. “There we have had three rounds with three new tracks. He races an automatic in New Zealand and Aussie, while China is a 4-speed manual. He races a 65cc in New Zealand so is used to gears – they just go the other way on the road bikes.”
Nicole said they felt incredibly grateful for the opportunities, support, and people behind the scenes helping make moments like this possible. “We can’t wait to experience everything this opportunity has to offer and to see James line up against some of the best riders from around the world,” she adds. “China … here we come.”
Nine-year-old New Zealand road racer James Drought is ready to take on the world’s best at the 2026 Ohvale Guangzhou Super Cup runs from August 17-24. Photo: RbMotoLens
2026 Race Schedule for James Drought
Ohvale Guangzhou Super Cup, Guangzhou Conghua International Circuit (GCIC)
August 17-20: Orientation and culture
August 21-23: Racing
August 24: Farewell
Australian MotoMini 110 Cup
ROUND 4: September 19-20, 2026 Albury, NSW (Albury Wodonga Kart Club)
ROUND 5: October 17-18, 2026 Port Melbourne, VIC (Go Kart Club of Victoria)
Fast Facts: James Drought
DOB: May 7, 2017 (nine-years-old)
Home town: TaupĹŤ
Website: https://jamesdrought.co.nz/
Event website here: 2026 Ohvale Guangzhou Super Cup.
Event website here: 2026 Australian MotoMini 110 Cup.
Follow James Drought: https://jamesdrought.co.nz/
