The World's Fastest Maori.

[Motu]

This sunday at Rosebank Speedway Bruce Cribb,once billed as The World's Fastest Maori,will be riding his ice bike,like he did recently at Palmerston North.Back in the 70s and 80s Cribb went around tracks in England and Europe on his ice bike,shattering lap records everytime - unofficialy of course.Apparently it's an unbelievable sight,the bike doesn't slide like a speedway bike,just huge lean and very,very fast.

It's also the New Zealand Solo Champs....and international riders too.

Watching Cribby ride an ice bike at Rosebank will be FUCKING ORSOME!!!

[Warr]

.....
Watching Cribby ride an ice bike at Rosebank will be FUCKING ORSOME!!!
Mm.. sounds like it will be a good night. This be the place ?
"Rosebank Speedway Rosebank Domain Patiki Road Avondale AUCKLAND"

[Motu]

Yeah,but it's not at night,racing usualy starts at 1.00pm.

[Mental Trousers]

I would've thought an ice bike on a speedway track will cut the surface to shreds. Be bloody great to see though.

[Mr Skid]

See yer there!

[Motu]

There is an article on Bruce Cribb in this mornings Harold.At 59 he's going for the lap record...I've seen the lap record broken there several times and when they do it's freaking fast and you don't know how they could keep it on the track....he'll be going faster than the young guns,faster than the top International riders....in the spirit of Burt Munro eh?

No spikes on the side of the tyre,at 55psi!! the tyre flexes and puts the spikes into the track....imagine how much flex the speedway tyres get at much lower pressures.He'll go out when the track is swept clean and a blue groove laid.I used to do that at the dirt track,we raced the bikes after all the car races and before the water truck,the groove would be 2 metres wide and so shiny it looked wet,maximim grip...

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=4&ObjectID=10366579

[Warr]

Who else is planning on going.. sounds like it will be an interesting program

[Warr]

Well the 2 of us did go. Got there bout 1.30 and left about 4.30.
There was some great racing.
And yes saw the Ice bike race around. Only managed to knock 1 second off the lap record... Information overheard so may not have been accurate.
Sidecar racing was awesome... very close.
One race ended with the swinger parting company with the bike and him sliding over the line after the bike. The reason he was flicked off was because of a last second duel right before the finish. The inside bike near headed for the pole used for the starting tapes. Pleased it all turned out well. It was a, "gosh that could have turned out differently moment"!!

In the NZ solo champs. The winner was an international rider from .... Norway ???? I may have heard that wrong. The final was a awesome race with the winner being back in 3rd 2 laps from the end. Managed to get make a bold challenge around the outside and make it stick on the last lap. Very good riding and well deserved win.

Another highlight was the Piwe ?? riders. These little 5-7year olds getting around on small bikes. If you were to scale them up in size they would be fare moving. Champions of tomorrow all decked out in there gear !!
A great afternoons entertainment.

[Motu]

Where were you Warr? I hang out with the crowd on the main straight,I was wearing my orange MX pants and red dirt boots,my bike was the white dirt bike,parked next to my mates black XS650.I posted a report in General ravings to get more coverage,but a lost cause with this lot...

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=24224

That final race in the Solo Champs was exciting stuff alright,classic speedway action.The groove was huge,it's not often you see it like that - and that's what Cribbs would of been waiting for,and brought the ice bike out ahead of schedule,he was supposed to come out after the finals.But if he waited longer the track might of got cut up more...it was bumpy enough for him as it was,without hitting those bumps he could of gone much faster.Of all the motor racing I've watched over the years,speedway sidecars is the most exciting,they always push to the max and no quater is given,always a good show.

I took a detour to get there,from Huntly over to SH22 via Heatherington rd,then down to Limestone Downs and Port Waikato,up Klondyke rd to Onewhero then Tuakau,ran onto reserve at Greenlane - 170kms and 3 hrs to get to Rosebank.I parked with the bikes and saw onlyone other dirt bike - I'm always puzzled why speedway attracts the Harley crowd,although lots of sportsbikes show up,but you'd expect more dirt riders to show interest.As usual I slpit camps,I hang out there with the guys and gals dressed in black.Went home a more direct route,but got in more twisties and some gravel by staying off boring old 22.

You see a lot of old men at Rosebank - they are not there because the bowling was cancelled,they are old speedway riders,or midget drivers who can't stay away....gladiators from another time....

[Warr]

Yes Motu, saw your post after I had written mine and wondered why you had started another :)
I parked the VFR on the left right opposite the track in the grass between some cars. There was an earlier VFR a couple of cars further and another bike close by, cant remember what it was!

We sat on the end of the second lot of bleeches after the start/finish. Had to shelter a few times from the dirt, but was up-wind of the dust which suited me :) Right behind us was the caravan selling the chips etc.

Time was a factor so was the main road both ways.. didnt get home till 9.30.
And did notice the average age of those attending could have been older, had less teeth and drank more beer than me!!
Spotted an older guy on an FJ1200 and him and his mate on a R(80??) from Pukekohe way I think..He said they always got in cheaper because they used to ride on the track. I asked him what the felt-tip pen was tied on to his bars for and he told me it was to write down the plate numbers of cars that upset him!
I didnt see too many trail machines.. Harleys yes and someones early Triumph. A VW Trike etc etc.
Tricky to catch up with any other KB'ers as I dont have any ID
So think I'll have to order a shirt off Spankme. Prob too late to get one b4 Paeroa :(

[Motu]

Not far from me,we spent most of the day under the tree,and a couple of races with Mr Skid leaning against a wheelie bin.I was parked in front of that nice Triumph.But wandered around and met up with some other people too....it's a bit of a social thing for me,a lot of my old mates go and when we used to go more often it was a time for us all to get together again,we;ve all been going to speedway since the 60s and 70s...longtimers.

[gav]

http://www.fastestmaori.co.nz/
So its not this guy, then?