Tauranga arborist Mark Goldstone is setting his sights on the UTVbits New Zealand short course champs.

After winning the North Island division of the New Zealand off-road racing championship, Mark is looking to take out his class title at the short course champs.

Mark is relatively new to the sport of off-road racing after making the jump from ATV motocross.

'Being quite new to the sport, I couldn't get over how friendly everyone is and willing to help out where they can,” says Mark.

'The thing I'm looking forward to most about the short course champs is just being back in the car, as it has been a few weeks, and being around good mates.”

With sponsors like Goldstone treeworx LTD, V-Dub Shoppe, McFall fuel, Motomuck, Ansell Mechanical and Ignite automotive, it allows Mark to travel all over the country to compete.

This year's short course champs in being held in Palmerston North on August 18. With a track length of one kilometer and six or seven laps per heat, Mark will be keeping a close eye on his competitors.

'One thing I love about the challenger class is it's a very close class and always has good competition, so you can't really count anyone out,” says Mark.

'The class title would be awesome, and that's what the aim is, but it's also about just getting out there and having some fun with some good battles with the other competitors.”

With the short course championship fast approaching, Mark has been busy prepping his car.

'I always like to have my car prepared the week before a big national event so that if I need to change anything, I can and it means I can go through the car thoroughly which can pay off massively with minimal issues at the track.”