LB
27th January 2006, 20:43
Just reminding everyone of the big Classic race meeting at Pukekohe on 10-11-12 Feb.
This year it's featuring sidecars (a HUGE field this year - over 40 entries), plus Peter Williams and Norman White. Peter was right up there with the likes of Agostini and Phil Read in the early '70s, keeping up with and sometimes beating their MV Agustas on his John Player Norton. Norman was not only Peter's personal mechanic, but he was also a top road racer in his own right - he won the Thruxton 500 one year.
A 1972 John Player Norton will be present as well - as I understand int, it's the first time one has been in NZ. It arrived last week and I was privileged enough to be invited to the "uncrating" - what a lovely bike - so slim and low to the ground. I can't wait to hear it roar!!
Don't think this meeting is just for "old fogies" - Sam Smith, Nick Cole and Jay Lawrence are all racing classic bikes. (So long as Nick is recovered from his Ruapuna injuries that is.) None of these guys is over 20 years of age, and all of them are fast riders on their modern race bikes. Troy O'Donoghue, Dave Cole, Steve Bridge, Mike King and Cloud Craig-Smith will also all be racing.
Paul Smart will be there, and guess what - the new Ducati Sport Classic Paul Smart replica has arrived in NZ, and there will be at least one up there at the track....imagine that, seeing Paul Smart standing next to a Paul Smart!!
I understand that one of the Brittens will be doing some demonstration laps as well.
For more information, have a look at www.nortonracing.co.nz which will also lead you to the Classic Motorcycle Racing Register site.
The other thing I like about the meeting is that wandering around the bike park on the Sunday is great - there's some absolutely wonderful old and new bikes that turn up.
This year it's featuring sidecars (a HUGE field this year - over 40 entries), plus Peter Williams and Norman White. Peter was right up there with the likes of Agostini and Phil Read in the early '70s, keeping up with and sometimes beating their MV Agustas on his John Player Norton. Norman was not only Peter's personal mechanic, but he was also a top road racer in his own right - he won the Thruxton 500 one year.
A 1972 John Player Norton will be present as well - as I understand int, it's the first time one has been in NZ. It arrived last week and I was privileged enough to be invited to the "uncrating" - what a lovely bike - so slim and low to the ground. I can't wait to hear it roar!!
Don't think this meeting is just for "old fogies" - Sam Smith, Nick Cole and Jay Lawrence are all racing classic bikes. (So long as Nick is recovered from his Ruapuna injuries that is.) None of these guys is over 20 years of age, and all of them are fast riders on their modern race bikes. Troy O'Donoghue, Dave Cole, Steve Bridge, Mike King and Cloud Craig-Smith will also all be racing.
Paul Smart will be there, and guess what - the new Ducati Sport Classic Paul Smart replica has arrived in NZ, and there will be at least one up there at the track....imagine that, seeing Paul Smart standing next to a Paul Smart!!
I understand that one of the Brittens will be doing some demonstration laps as well.
For more information, have a look at www.nortonracing.co.nz which will also lead you to the Classic Motorcycle Racing Register site.
The other thing I like about the meeting is that wandering around the bike park on the Sunday is great - there's some absolutely wonderful old and new bikes that turn up.