Wanganui Races - Pics and stories

[merv]

I stayed in Wanganui for dinner with friends last night, got back around 11pm and as I took about 170 pics I thought I'd post them to the Gallery section under My Gallery, but after uploading the first 10, buggered if I could see them any where. So what am I doing wrong and how do you post to the gallery properly?

So to whet your appetite I'll post a few here anyway.

Its beautiful how close you can get to the bikes even if there is a fence between us these days not like back in the 70's.

[merv]

Saw a few K'Bers there too - I had my shirt on but no one would see it because it was rather cool and I was buggered if I was going to take my jacket off.

[merv]

OK I'm taking a break for brekkie now, but OK there were a few umbrella chicks.

Why are my photos loading in random order - that's never happened before they normally load in number and time stamp order if I select them like that?

I'll be back later.

[merv]

Any one else get to speak to the nice policeman with the laser gun hiding on the tripod behind the power pole at the North end of Bulls? Says I should wait until I've passed the 100 sign before I accelerate up and he reckoned I was doing 64km/hr, in my wife's car. Ssssshhhhhh don't tell her, Oh too late I already had a laugh with her about it.

Spud there is life left in the world because after being pulled up for the second time this year (never on the bike) the nice man didn't give me a ticket and neither did the guy back in May. They are restoring my faith in police having discretion.

However, it was a mean arsed place to hide a laser because really the signs are on the outskirts of the town to slow down those coming into town. I'm merrily looking at the clear road ahead and preparing for take off.

Anyway, forget the rant, back to the pics, I presume that's what you want to see.

I liked the ride by with the chicks on the tanks and other places.

[James Deuce]

What's the #5 Suzuki? It has an RGB fairing, but I think that's a four stroke under there.

[merv]

You like that? But wait there's more.

[merv]

What's the #5 Suzuki? It has an RGB fairing, but I think that's a four stroke under there.

Are you too young to remember the Plastic Fantastic?

[James Deuce]

Are you too young to remember the Plastic Fantastic?

Ahh is that what it is. I wasn't really paying attention to the NZ Road Race scene when it was around to be honest.

That's a GSX1100 isn't it?

[merv]

I'm taking a while doing this as I'm busy reading up about ADSL, finally - my son has come home with a modem and router and needs a networked ADSL fed computer for his work, but of course he's still in bed, so I'll keep on going on my 56k modem.

Mitch was there, looking good too.

I guess that really young guy dressed in orange is famous or something seeing he was signing stuff.

[merv]

Ahh is that what it is. I wasn't really paying attention to the NZ Road Race scene when it was around to be honest.

That's a GSX1100 isn't it?

Yep, WT probably has the real low down on it but it was raced by Dave Hiscock about 82-83 vintage and Robert Holden about 84-85.

It was painted white in the early days and the last time I saw it race it was blue.

[Ghost Lemur]

Looks like it was a great day. Look foward to more pics and write ups.

[merv]

Now correct me if I'm wrong here but I guess this was the Aluminium forerunner to the Plastic Fantastic. Who was riding it? That I missed hearing and I didn't recognise the guy.

There's that young fellah in orange again, and I guess that old guy was famous too.

[merv]

OK here's the flashback - Gracefield December 1983, Hiscock (H) on the Plastic Fantastic and Holden (4) on the Aluminium one I thought. Now that doesn't look the same as the one at Wanganui yesterday - different fairings. Have I got my bikes mixed up?

[James Deuce]

Old guy is Rod Coleman on an AJS7R3 I think. He setup the Wanganui races with his Dad, and was NZ's 1st IOMTT winner.

[merv]

I suppose you want me to keep going. Trying to talk to the rellies at the same time while I do this.

That guy "A" must be famous too, he didn't have to push his own bike.

Motormouth was there too, I usually see him at Moto-X meetings.

How come Sawyers were sponsoring Suzukis, are they going to buy out Wellington Motorcycles or something? WT is that your new job, Honda salesman for Brendan? Anyway good on Chris Parkin of Museum Hotel getting behind bike racing. I don't think any payout he got from Tararua District Council would have bought more than a few caps to wear for the team.

[merv]

Old guy is Rod Coleman on an AJS7R3 I think. He setup the Wanganui races with his Dad, and was NZ's 1st IOMTT winner.

Yeah just checking you guys, I don't want you to figure all this out easily so I was leaving it to your imagination. Its 50 years since Rod won the Junior TT at the Isle of Man. The Deputy mayor of Wanganui gave a tribute to Rod and the whole Coleman family for their commitment to Wanganui. The Mayor, Michael Laws, couldn't make as he was home with his partner and new baby. Don't hear much about Rod's brother Bob these days what happened to him?

[Quasievil]

Saw a few K'Bers there too - I had my shirt on but no one would see it because it was rather cool and I was buggered if I was going to take my jacket off.
Hey Lynda how sexy do we look !!!!

[merv]

These guys could ride pretty quick - they'd go well on a KB ride.

The number 91 VTR wasn't going too bad for a bike like that.

Derek from Sawyers/Motorad (9) was going pretty good on the Kawasaki too and so was Peter Daniell (54).

[James Deuce]

Hey Lynda how sexy do we look !!!!

Thought of you last night - "You're the Diet-Coke of evil."

Love that movie.

I'm sorry, I don't find you or Ducati riders sexy.

[jimbo600]

Good effort on the pics Merv. It was a good day. Good to see plenty of bikes out too. any way attached are my photographic efforts for the day. Lynda PM me your address and I'll forward the CD, or we can just arrange to meet up somewhere.......ooohh secret liaison.

[merv]

Some guys show off pulling wheelies eh!

There was a good battle between Hepburn (52) and Derek (9) with Derek coming out on top.

[Atilgan]

I stayed in Wanganui for dinner with friends last night, got back around 11pm and as I took about 170 pics I thought I'd post them to the Gallery section under My Gallery, but after uploading the first 10, buggered if I could see them any where. So what am I doing wrong and how do you post to the gallery properly?

So to whet your appetite I'll post a few here anyway.

Its beautiful how close you can get to the bikes even if there is a fence between us these days not like back in the 70's.


Hi Merv,:niceone:

Nice pixx. Thank you. :headbang: I haven't been to any of this racing in NZ yet, because i just arrived here 2 months ago from Germany plus i have to work on Saturday. Wait until i settle down here a bit,:p then i will ride around the country to see this race and might try join the race myself as well. :2thumbsup

Cheers

Atilgan :cool:

[merv]

Hi Merv,:niceone:

Nice pixx. Thank you. :headbang: I haven't been to any of this racing in NZ yet, because i just arrived here 2 months ago from Germany plus i have to work on Saturday. Wait until i settle down here a bit,:p then i will ride around the country to see this race and might try join the race myself as well. :2thumbsup

Cheers

Atilgan :cool:

Good to hear from you and I hope you enjoy it here.

You want more pics? I've got plenty as usual.

Post classics were classic. The old Honda (52) looked a bit like Jim Redman was back, but it wasn't quite at his pace. Richard Scott (65) was going well. Now remind me as I couldn't hear what the announcer said properly - you know the usual double echo and all that stuff, but does Richard still hold the lap record or did Craig Shirrifs beat it? 1986 Richard set a helluva record on the RS500 Honda triple (they called the production GP version an RS didn't they while the NS was the factory job?) after he'd been pipped by Craig Trinder he set about re-gearing the bike to suit the lower speed circuit (than GP circuits that is) and he tore around Wanganui like no one had before. He'd been king of Wanganui previously on a warmed over FZ750 but his ride on the Honda 500 was remarkable. Great to see he's still racing.

Also good on him for sponsoring a few Aussies to come out this year.

The Kwaka triple goes well too - they never handled like that back in the 70's they used to flex around the corners. The wonders of modern shocks.

[Bonez]

The "young falla" is the current MX2 World Champion if ya listened to the commentator.

[merv]

Can anyone remember Colin Tate (101) not riding his Norton at Wanganui and going well at that?

Then there are the motards - what fun on the streets.

Shame that Craig Flood's Honda (95) didn't see the day out without getting a bit blackened by the flames.

[merv]

The "young falla" is the current MX2 World Champion if ya listened to the commentator.

Yep our own Ben Townley from Taupo.

[merv]

Flames you said, yeah these flames.

By the time I got there they'd pulled his bike away and I missed getting pics of that. Anyone see what happened with Craig going in there?

Fire Brigade took a while to quell the flames because they weren't exactly close to where it happened and extinguishers hadn't cut the mustard once the bales caught on fire. Just delayed racing a bit.

[merv]

OK gotta go now, if you are still keen I might post some more pics later. Keep talking while I'm gone and post a few pics and stories too.

[Blakamin]

MORE PHOTOS!!!!...
the cop at bulls just pointed at me..... and the laser mode on the radar detector did nuthin..... :unsure:

[aff-man]

saw it on the news. Pity about that guy overbraking and going over the top onto the other guy. But looked like a good day :headbang:

[Bonez]

saw it on the news. Pity about that guy overbraking and going over the top onto the other guy. But looked like a good day :headbang:Twas and SsangYong are going to sponser it again next year.

[White trash]

Great pics Merv and Jim.

The Plastic Fantastic is my favourite race bike ever. I remember watch Wanganui LIVE on TV when I was seven or eight when it was first raced there. My favourite racer from there was Robby Phillis. Watchig him wheelie those big bikes was phenominal.

[k14]

What an awesome day, good to see the honda doing what it does best in the first robert holden memorial heat. Anyone know where to get some results from??

Met up with funkfly and his dad in stratford and saw a few others down there. Definately at the top of my list for next year.

Here are a small selection of my pics. Damn i hate the 0.5 to 1 sec delay on my digital camera. Nearly got the hang of when to press the button.

[k14]

Part 2: some not to bad ones here

[k14]

part 3, some more nice ones.

[White trash]

Good shots k14. I pissed myself when Bruce came out doing rollig burnouts on Dereks bike. Wonder if it handeled a bit funy after that.

Shame that shot of Lance is so fuzzy. That'd be a real cool one.

Did anyone else see Lances helmetless rolling stoppie at The Warehouse during the parade lap? Fuckin' good skills :headbang:

[Blakamin]

Only photos I got..... (lotsa video I'm working on tho)

[Racey Rider]

The big moment :gob:

[James Deuce]

The big moment :gob:
Have you got a hi res version of that?

Lovely shot!

[merv]

OK what else do you want to see - oh yeah there were sidecars too.

Doug Chivas is like Richard Scott - he was setting lap records here 20 years ago, but how come he's still so fast. No Margaret Halliday swinging these days though and no 2 stroke engines any more. What happened later in the day when he came around without his swinger on the chair? Did anyone see him fall off and was he OK?

[White trash]

OK what else do you want to see - oh yeah there were sidecars too.

Doug Chivas is like Richard Scott - he was setting lap records here 20 years ago, but how come he's still so fast. No Margaret Halliday swinging these days though and no 2 stroke engines any more. What happened later in the day when he came around without his swinger on the chair? Did anyone see him fall off and was he OK?

Speaking of outfits, have you read the thing in the program from a swingers perspective of a lap? Fuckin' brilliant!

[merv]

You got to hang on tight on the back of those things.

[White trash]

Doug Chivas is like Richard Scott - he was setting lap records here 20 years ago, but how come he's still so fast.

Merv, is it "Chivas" or "Chivos"? If it's the former, it's ot the same Chivas who used to race Chargers in Australia *30* years ago is it? :eek:

[merv]

WT you got a PC at home or are you in at work at this hour?

[White trash]

WT you got a PC at home? At Slipstreams lookin' after the kids, actually, Lily is waving at the spud-wave emoticon in the reply page. Cute.


or are you in at work at this hour?

Mate, how much of a workoholicyou think I am?

[merv]

Merv, is it "Chivas" or "Chivos"? If it's the former, it's ot the same Chivas who used to race Chargers in Australia *30* years ago is it? :eek:

Its Chivas, but I think he may have put Chivo's on the side as in it was his rig. Not sure if he has any relationship to Neil Chivas famous for his association with WMCC.

I am sure he isn't the Charger guy because this page http://www.fullyslick.com/fullthrottle3.htm talks of his passing away and our Chivas was alive and well on Sunday

[merv]

Mate, how much of a workoholicyou think I am?

Dunno thought you might have been getting keen on that job selling Hondas.

Shall I get on with posting more pics so others can download them and save them if they like?

[White trash]

There ya go. Thanks for that.

[merv]

Here's the last few sidecar pics, what else you want to see?

[merv]

Well there was the guy on the Buell having a good dice. There were two Buells listed in the programme but only this one on track.

Another shot of Derek at speed.

Nortons and other stuff racing.

[svs]

what else you want to see? F3??

Well that was a bit of a hoot. First time at the cemetery circuit was an interesting experience, but didn't get much racing done.

First F3 race was carnage with crashes and waved yellows at 3 corners - bikes and bodies everywhere - but no red flag until the last lap. Conspiricy theory says that the race organisers were just trying to get away without restarting the race - they say the radios weren't working so they didn't know about the problems.

Race 2 was red flagged after 3 laps and declared. I went past craigs fireball (formely motard) a few seconds after he went down. Didn't see what happened though.

So overall didn't get a flying race lap all day. Best time was 1.00.8 in the first practice. Got 9th and 11th in the 2 races, which is all good.

[merv]

More pics including the fast guys again.

[merv]

F3??

So overall didn't get a flying race lap all day. Best time was 1.00.8 in the first practice. Got 9th and 11th in the 2 races, which is all good.

I've already put the pics of Mitch up so I'll see what else I can find later. What number bike were you?

[svs]

What number bike were you? 33 Yellow SV.

Mitch got a better start than me in the second race and came past. Wasn't going to have that so outbraked her (and a few others) into the first corner. However cold tyres don't grip too well so was sliding around a bit.

woohoo - 200 posts!

[merv]

More pics.

[merv]

Where did that bogan Westie come from?

Spot yourself in the crowd.

The poor bugger on the Ducati (11) tried to bump start his bike again and fell over right in front of us and I didn't have my camera at the ready so only got pics of it being put onto the trailer.

[merv]

That Tigcraft was pretty quick (12) but I noticed it blew smoke badly before the day was out.

The fast guys kept racing.

Can't find any yellow 33 bikes in my pics sorry.

[merv]

Ducati (76) crashed, hope the guy was OK as he was taken away in the ambulance.

The motards kept racing without Craig.

[merv]

There was the invitation race for the next best after the top 30 and PaulinNZ you no doubt liked the old Guzzi (157) being in that bunch.

I think I'll quit there, that's not a bad collection eh!

Anyone else catch people I've missed?

[merv]

Talking about Richard Scott, back in '97 he came on an e-riders tour of the South Island with us. Richard Scoular lent him a Honda ST1100, I guess he figured it would slow RS down if he wasn't on a sports bike, but I think he found the edge of the tyres all the same. My pics weren't so flash back in those days but spot the boys at the ferry terminal before departure and later the bikes at Haast and Gremouth. Nothing to do with Wanganui I know but RS was involved with both.

[merv]

It was a great day out and as I said before it wasn't warm enough to be stripping down to my KB shirt but I did catch up with Slim but never had much of a chance to talk over the noise of the bikes (and er Lynda), saw Lynda (of course), Hamish, Quasi, et-al and Gunner and spotted Kickaha at a distance, other than that and all the Ulysses people I saw (sat in their truck for a while) where were you all?

[Motu]

61 looks like the one armed motarder,he has a 17 on the front now I see...at Paeroa he had a 21.

[Racey Rider]

here you go SVS. Not a great action shot, but proves you where there.

2x Mitch

Some guy pullin it up. (Yawn) :sleep:

Sherriffs seemed to be rubbin yellow paint on those hay bales all day!
GO that man! :niceone:


Have you got a hi res version of that? Lovely shot!

No, sorry it's not clear. And I can't load the vid of it onto my computer to show you it in real time.

[k14]

61 looks like the one armed motarder,he has a 17 on the front now I see...at Paeroa he had a 21.

Yeah he is from chch i think. Seen him at levels and ruapuna every time i've been out there when racing was on. He seems to do pretty considering, don't think i could ride with only 1 arm very affectively.

[White trash]

Sherriffs seemed to be rubbin yellow paint on those hay bales all day!
GO that man! :niceone:

Remember the good ol' days when Bruce used to hit that same spot, lap after lap, in the gutter, one wheel, crossed up and right up it on his TZ.

Got me into road racing, that man. :confused2

[k14]

Saw craig shirrifs riding down the gutter next to that white wooden fence just after coming out of the left hander onto the front straight on one lap. Gave him a few wobbles, don't think he rode down there again for that race.

[merv]

Saw craig sherrifs (sp?)

Yeah its Shirrifs.

[What?]

Don't hear much about Rod's brother Bob these days what happened to him?
Lives in Tauranga and is trotting out Mrs What?'s mum.

[What?]

OK here's the flashback - Gracefield December 1983, Hiscock (H) on the Plastic Fantastic and Holden (4) on the Aluminium one I thought. Now that doesn't look the same as the one at Wanganui yesterday - different fairings. Have I got my bikes mixed up?
Same bike, just looks different at that angle & distance. Note behind Hiscock is Robbie Phillis with Stu Avant running fourth.

[What?]

Maybe the original screen was a bit taller?

[Sensei]

Hey Merv .
I think you'll find the Tigcraft bike No 12 is powered by a worked CRF450 motor that only last a day's racing so that's why it was starting to smoke by the end of the day , Still went like shit against Terry's Fit's SV650 from NP . Watched Craig Flood's crash looked like a frontend wash out from our spot great fire thou ,Bummer that his bike got abit fryed . Have posted one of your Pic's of him & the bike before it started running alitle hot LOL Will give him shit on Wednsday when his shop open's Excellent Shot's may have to grab a copy of them at some stage if that's kool
SENSEI

[SPman]

2 more Mitch and Fitzs SV650. Wish they sold them more like this!

[White trash]

Hey Merv .
I think you'll find the Tigcraft bike No 12 is powered by a worked CRF450 motor that only last a day's racing so that's why it was starting to smoke by the end of the day , Still went like shit against Terry's Fit's SV650 from NP . Watched Craig Flood's crash looked like a frontend wash out from our spot great fire thou ,Bummer that his bike got abit fryed . Have posted one of your Pic's of him & the bike before it started running alitle hot LOL Will give him shit on Wednsday when his shop open's Excellent Shot's may have to grab a copy of them at some stage if that's kool
SENSEI

Sensei, I'm pretty sure Jasons Tigcraft uses a 450 Yamaha motor. Could be wrong but I'm not often...... :Pokey:

[k14]

Was that in a rs125 frame? Looked like a rs but definately didn't sound like one, looks pretty cool though.

[TwoSeven]

Went there from napier to meet up with a few people, took my father and brother (over from japan) - Dads now an enthusiast for street racing which is pretty good, perhaps i'll make a london courier out of him yet - st racing with cars :)

I saw the two worst bits of marshalling ever which was a pretty big negative for me - but spent most of the day chattin to some of the chaps anyhow and most were ok.

Reason was I was at the corner with the first bears crash, saw the two riders elbowing each other down the straight and knew they wernt going round the corner. Silly mashall had a yeallow out and I had to shout at him to pull the red, people were just standing and looking that the munted rider and eventually the medic had to run out in front of the bikes to attend, nother few mins before the ambo turned up.

Was at the next corner for the F3 crash where the young chap lost his lid hitting the bales at the esses (looked like an MX lid - thought those werent allowed in road races - but then dont know the rules here). Then the 2nd chap connected with him and munted him self. Injured rider and bike and debris all over the racing line and the silly buggers wave yellows. After a min the chap managed to roll over and judging by the angle his arm was twisted under his back - it will be sore. Someone gave the marshall a red flag, but the begger just gave it back. Dont know what the regs are here but I would say that marshall put the fallen rider well and truly in danger.

Other than that the day was great - loved the sidecars - especially the old red triumph which I think was the crowd favourite. Motards were pretty neat - I suspect when they start mixing it up on the proper motard tracks that it will be the next kiwi craze :) The bears and classics as well - saw a great BSA which was good. 600s looked like they were in general just messing round (except for a couple of leading chaps) and I didnt bother with the supers as not my cup of tea.

Will have to go back next year I think as was a great time. :)

[Kickaha]

Sensei, I'm pretty sure Jasons Tigcraft uses a 450 Yamaha motor. Could be wrong but I'm not often...... :Pokey:


No you're right again it is a YZF or at least it was a couple of years ago when theyran it in the nationals for the first time


Was that in a rs125 frame? Looked like a rs but definately didn't sound like one, looks pretty cool though.

No it's one of these things http://www.tigcraft.com/

[merv]

Yeah Jason's Tigcraft definitely has a Yamaha engine - I looked under the hood while it was in the pits.

I can't say I liked the way it handled going into the turn over the railway line - he kept skidding on the painted arrow on the road looking like he was going to highside - no-one else was doing it that way.

[Blakamin]

No it's one of these things http://www.tigcraft.com/
I WANT one.... they look like serious fun for short-arsed people like me!

[Atilgan]

Good to hear from you and I hope you enjoy it here.

You want more pics? I've got plenty as usual.

Post classics were classic. The old Honda (52) looked a bit like Jim Redman was back, but it wasn't quite at his pace. Richard Scott (65) was going well. Now remind me as I couldn't hear what the announcer said properly - you know the usual double echo and all that stuff, but does Richard still hold the lap record or did Craig Shirrifs beat it? 1986 Richard set a helluva record on the RS500 Honda triple (they called the production GP version an RS didn't they while the NS was the factory job?) after he'd been pipped by Craig Trinder he set about re-gearing the bike to suit the lower speed circuit (than GP circuits that is) and he tore around Wanganui like no one had before. He'd been king of Wanganui previously on a warmed over FZ750 but his ride on the Honda 500 was remarkable. Great to see he's still racing.

Also good on him for sponsoring a few Aussies to come out this year.

The Kwaka triple goes well too - they never handled like that back in the 70's they used to flex around the corners. The wonders of modern shocks.

Hi Merv, :2thumbsup

Yes, i am interested to see more of your motorbike riding or racing pics. I have been riding motorbike since 1977. :wavey: Starting to ride some bigger bike in 1980, it was BMW, Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha all of them were over 1000cc.
Anyway, i will be going to Tauranga tomorrow with my girl to check out the Rear seater and the cowl. Hopefully i can find it with the better price. It's hard to find my 1998 Yamaha rear seater in Auckland. I have rang all of the wreckers, dealers, newspaper and magazines. None of them have got the second hand parts here.

Anyway, thanks again for your pics in advance. This is a nice networking website. I enjoy it. :shake:

Cheers

Ati :lol:

[Sparky Bills]

Nice pics man.
Where are all the pics of me???! (No.55 Ducati 900ss)
Had a really good day! Never had a bike move underneath me soo much in my life!

Didnt rain the whole day! even had a Diablo corsa rear (road tyre) and that held up really good.
I only JUST missed that crash in B.E.A.R.S, Looked pretty nasty.
Managed to talk to a few KB's, but didnt see many others.
Good day had by all!

[Blakamin]

Nice pics man.
Where are all the pics of me???! (No.55 Ducati 900ss)
Had a really good day! Never had a bike move underneath me soo much in my life!

Didnt rain the whole day! even had a Diablo corsa rear (road tyre) and that held up really good.
I only JUST missed that crash in B.E.A.R.S, Looked pretty nasty.
Managed to talk to a few KB's, but didnt see many others.
Good day had by all!
I actually got you on video.... will avi it when i get 5 minutes (workin on other PC at the moment)

[Sparky Bills]

I actually got you on video.... will avi it when i get 5 minutes (workin on other PC at the moment)

SWEET!! :banana:
Wouldnt mind seeing it.
Let me know when its all done.
Thanx mate :banana:

[F5 Dave]

Great pics Merv and Jim.

The Plastic Fantastic is my favourite race bike ever. I remember watch Wanganui LIVE on TV when I was seven or eight when it was first raced there. My favourite racer from there was Robby Phillis. Watchig him wheelie those big bikes was phenominal.

Yeah I was lucky enough to be taken to Wanganui to watch that epic battle between Hiscock on the Plastic & Philis on a Kat I think? + Holden who was not able to challenge for the lead but far enough away from the rest of the field so he pulled wheelies.

Really made an impression on me & cemented motorcycles as a path to follow.

Hmm, that must have been 83 as the plastic wasn’t built until then (how the syndicate ever thought they would be able to post classic race it bugger only knows esp. with the no carbon rule).

These bikes were built for Dave to make an attempt of the F1 title & try get him a factory ride. Apparently the Aluminium one was nicer to ride. Turned up at a friend’s work one day a couple of year back & he was sitting on the ground with the Ally tank monocot section cleaning it up (in prep of that ride display). There’s bugger all to them. Steve Roberts really was well ahead of his time, (he said a few words over the Tanoy at Wangas this year).

[denill]

Yeah he is from chch i think. Seen him at levels and ruapuna every time i've been out there when racing was on. He seems to do pretty considering, don't think i could ride with only 1 arm very affectively.

Nigel Curtis is originally from Napier and is living in Chch at the moment.
He completely lost the use of his whole left arm in the early 80s when a spaced out on something rider took him out while riding on the local riverbed. Nigel was in a pretty bad way and I'm pretty sure the other guy died.

Subsequently Nigel rode MX on a CR500!! - not your pussy old time scrambles stuff either. He was a regular club MXer and regularly raced the Woodville GPs. He was up at the pointy end of his class on a bike that was built before powervalves and those things were bloody light switches. Neil Ritchie used to give him a huge rap. He gave way to no-one and no-one gave way to him.
As a matter of interest - I supported him a bit and got him a bit of sponsorship from Kawasaki on a proddy GPZ500 twin in the 80s.

The guy had to be the hero of the day. Few riders at Wanganui would match him with one arm lying uselessly in their lap. I don't know how is able to maintain balance????? Those Motards need to be muscled into a corner??????
(BTW don't get sucked into an arm wrestle with him as I reckon you will lose.)


But he proves that if you want it bad enough - you will do it..........

Cheers
Bill

[Blakamin]

The guy had to be the hero of the day. Few riders at Wanganui would match him with one arm lying uselessly in their lap. I don't know how is able to maintain balance????? Those Motards need to be muscled into a corner??????
(BTW don't get sucked into an arm wrestle with him as I reckon you will lose.)


But he proves that if you want it bad enough - you will do it..........

Cheers
Bill
That spun me out when i first got there... was watching the practice and he went passsed and i turned as he went into firestone corner and thought "farq, hes sliding the arse and doin the corner one-handed!!!!" bloody good skills!!!

[Mitch]

Merv, SPman and Racey thanks so very much for the photo's. It's great to have some photo proof hehe :lol: YA Wanganui ROCKS, It was an absolutely fantastic day and great to catch up with everyone. Sorry if I didn't take much time to chat!!!!! Would have to confess to being pretty nervous and couldn't really stand still for long.
I think i'll be back next year to do it all again.

Oh ya and SVS of course you got past us all at turn one!!! When you go sliding into a corner with your front wheel locked up chances are people will get out of your way LMAO :2thumbsup

[James Deuce]

. Sorry if I didn't take much time to chat!!!!! Would have to confess to being pretty nervous and couldn't really stand still for long.


So you don't just behave like that around me then?

I thought you thought I was some sort of prevert.

[Mitch]

So you don't just behave like that around me then?

I thought you thought I was some sort of prevert.

Oops sorry I meant to put an exception in there refering to you:
SORRY FOR NOT CHATTING TO EVERYONE EXCEPT JIM2 THAT PERVY GUY.
LMAO :laugh: :laugh:

After I missed my first qualifier because I was to busy chatting away I decided I had better focus and get on with the job at hand.
Was a little dissappointed that there weren't any other ladies out there racing!!!!!!
BUT having said that the best chick out there was SLIM, man if there was ever a pit girl to be had she is it, tyre warmers on, tyre warmers off, bike off stand, she was there helping us every step of the way. Cheers chick, your one in a million!!!!!!!!!!!! :apint:

[svs]

Wanganui ROCKS
Yup, got to agree with that one...

When you go sliding into a corner with your front wheel locked up chances are people will get out of your way LMAO :2thumbsup

Just cos you got tyre warmers and actually had some grip :moon:

[Slim]

Cheers chick, your one in a million!!!!!!!!!!!! :apint:
No problemo. :)

Hey, did you see the top shot of Gareth earlier in this thread? And my photos from Phillip Island are here: http://community.webshots.com/user/kiwicbr6

[mangell6]

These bikes were built for Dave to make an attempt of the F1 title & try get him a factory ride. Apparently the Aluminium one was nicer to ride. Turned up at a friend?s work one day a couple of year back & he was sitting on the ground with the Ally tank monocot section cleaning it up (in prep of that ride display). There?s bugger all to them. Steve Roberts really was well ahead of his time, (he said a few words over the Tanoy at Wangas this year).

Was helping the rider of the aluminium one sort the throttle out on Christmas Eve. It had a tendency to be either full on or off, we were swapping springs around to get the right tension, feel ok in the shop, wheel it out, put it into third gear, give it a bit if a push, well more than a bit and wahoo. This was repeated several times before I had to leave Barry to it. Looks like he got it sorted in the end.

It is usually just sitting in the work shop at Maidstone Yamaha on any given day.

Mike

[Slim]

Here's a couple taken by a friend of ours.

Mitch - check out the gap Craig had on you in the first race! :sneaky2:

[speedpro]

OK here's the flashback - Gracefield December 1983, Hiscock (H) on the Plastic Fantastic and Holden (4) on the Aluminium one I thought. Now that doesn't look the same as the one at Wanganui yesterday - different fairings. Have I got my bikes mixed up?
"P" would be Robbie Phillis on a Katana? and "A" Stu Avant?? on an RGB500?. Phillis at Wanganui through the esses, what a ride.

[merv]

"P" would be Robbie Phillis on a Katana? and "A" Stu Avant?? on an RGB500?. Phillis at Wanganui through the esses, what a ride.

Yep you got it. I don't have any pics of Phillis at Wanganui but here's a couple more pics from Gracefield. Phillis and Hiscock, and Hiscock and Avant. Hiscock did all the winning as he was apt to do back then, except for when he broke his chain at Wanganui.

[speedpro]

Remember the good ol' days when Bruce used to hit that same spot, lap after lap, in the gutter, one wheel, crossed up and right up it on his TZ.

Got me into road racing, that man. :confused2

Bruce at Masterton chasing R Holden on the Ducati, or for a bit of humour Bruce taking the TZ up Mt Vic on a hill climb. Top bloke that Bruce and he can ride OK as well.

[merv]

Bruce at Masterton chasing R Holden on the Ducati, or for a bit of humour Bruce taking the TZ up Mt Vic on a hill climb. Top bloke that Bruce and he can ride OK as well.

Chasing this Ducati! Unfortunately I think the year I got that pic Bruce went splat into the haybales right in front of me by the gas station turn (can't remember the street names not being a Masterton boy myself).

[speedpro]

Chasing this Ducati! Unfortunately I think the year I got that pic Bruce went splat into the haybales right in front of me by the gas station turn (can't remember the street names not being a Masterton boy myself).

We can't have been too far apart.

I fell off my bucket twice there that year.

[Slim]

All the lap times are up on http://www.mylaps.com - I can't link directly to it, but click on Motorcycle Events at the bottom right of the page. At time of this posting, the Wanganui race was the top of the list. Search for "Cemetery" if it's been shuffled off the front page.

[gpercivl]

Here's our race report...took awhile to get out of holiday mode :rolleyes:

Battle of the Streets Wanganui 2004

Race Report from No Hair Racing

Christmas morning saw Bob unable to open all his presents 'cos he had to be at my place by 9am! Yes, we were off to take on the Wanganui streets. I had raced there once before but this was Bob's first time so lot's of excitement for us both. Bob had the extra challenge of racing my 400 as his bike was still in pieces waiting for the 450cc pistons to arrive from USA.

Sign on and scrutineering were from 2pm on Christmas day and after an uneventful drive from Te Kauwhata via the Parapara's we arrived in Wanganui around 3pm. The weather was hot and sunny, sign on, transponders and scrutineering were completed in a very relaxed manner so Bob and I did some sight seeing to the Memorial Tower and Castlecliff beach...finishing up at Al Nixon's place for a very enjoyable dinner and night's rest.

Boxing Day was a lot more hectic, we got to the track at 8am and found everything was already underway and unfortunately Bob missed his new comer's look and learn laps. We managed to get our act together for my first Formula 2 practice and I took it carefully which was good as I had forgotten just how bumpy those Wanganui streets are.

Bob's F3 practice was straight after mine, so he had already left before I came back in. This would be a real test for both my old 400 motor as well as for Bob. This was the 1987 motor (I had traded for a cow) that ran a big end bearing at the end of the 2nd round of the Nationals in 2003. The crankshaft had been reconditioned and straightened by Franklin Engineering Services and we were not sure if it would hang together. All was good though as Bob went by as I was taking off my helmet and he seemed to be keeping up with those around him (and more importantly - no vapour trail from the exhaust!).

Bob came in with a big grin on his face plus a few words about how bumpy it was. I think it took him most of the day to get use to the concrete curbs, railway tracks, hay bales and smiling faces so close to the race line :)

I went a bit faster in my second practice session and almost came unstuck in the left hander going over the bridge...running very wide all I could do was to keep leaning the bike over and wait for the front wheel to slide into the bales...fortunately those Rennsports kept sticking and I scraped by unscathed...good adrenalin buzz for the old ticker!

Race 1 for me came up and I managed to reproduce my best lap time at Wanganui of 59.3 secs from 2 years earlier, but this time the bikes are all going that much faster and I was lucky to finish 2nd to last :( Lots of fun though as I was pulling little wheelies all over the place. A couple of rear slides too but nothing too scarey.

Race 2 was pretty much the same but this time I tried to late brake the 4th to last guy at the end of the start/finish straight only to find that the front wheel doesn't stick so well when there are lots of bumps, so I had to go straight ahead into the run-off area. Then as I tried to get back onto the circuit my left foot clipped the hay bale on the corner which gave it a nice twist. Back up to race speed and someone flashed by...dang! I'm in last place @#$%!!! At least I should be able to catch him, but no hope, he disappeared after about 4 corners...turned out to be Ross King who had done the same as me the lap before and was playing catch up. Result...I ended up 2nd to last again :)

I managed to get on the track again for 2 more races, the Chris Dawes Memorial for us geriatric over 40 year olds, needless to say Bob & I aren't the fastest over 40 year olds we finished up 16th & 23rd out of 25...yeah, yeah we'll do better next year. Then there was a race for those who didn't qualify for the Robert Holden races, so another few laps of fun.

Bob's F3 races were disappointing for him as he only managed a couple of laps at race pace for both. In the first 5 riders went down at 3 different places and the race was stopped, then in the 2nd race one of the super motard's crashed into a hay bale and went up in flames and was stopped while the fire engines came out. Bob managed a very creditable 63.9 best lap and the engine was still running happily at the end of the day, so smiles all round for us both.

We had a good pit position and saw all the famous riders and TV crews, let kids sit on our bikes and gave words of wisdom to those aspiring spectators that couldn't get to the top racers. We even noticed a certain Mr. Slight walking the pits with hardly anyone recognising him these days...he must be relieved to be able to go incognito!

We finished up at around 6pm and headed off for Bob's summer retreat at Turangi but decided not to go fishing, settling for a few ales with our burgers.

Next morning we were back home and it was all over and back to being just ordinary Joe nobody's without the crowds of fans cheering us, it sure was a lot of fun though!

Again, we very much appreciate everyone that helped us especially Al, Beks, & Peter and of course our sponsors: Henderson Motorcycles, ezSite.co.nz, Haldane Tyres and SSSLodge.

2005 is going to be a fun year for us, Bob will have his 450 up and running very soon, Alex has mastered jumping table tops on his YZ-125, and I'm hoping to get some new machinery to run in over the winter series (we might even be able to talk Chris into coming out of retirement).

Hope to see you all track side soon, Happy New Year, Greg

http://www.nohair.co.nz

[Slim]

We even noticed a certain Mr. Slight walking the pits with hardly anyone recognising him these days...he must be relieved to be able to go incognito!
I don't think it's a case of nobody recognising him, but more that NZers don't seem to be the type to impign on famous peoples lives while they're not involved in official meet and greet duties.

He's quite vertically challenged, eh? :lol: First time I've ever seen him in the flesh (so to speak).

[gpercivl]

I don't think it's a case of nobody recognising him, but more that NZers don't seem to be the type to impign on famous peoples lives while they're not involved in official meet and greet duties.

He's quite vertically challenged, eh? :lol: First time I've ever seen him in the flesh (so to speak).

You're probably right Slim, I'd say everyone in the pits recognised him but none of the spectators took much interest although they were all over Ben Townley & Bruce Anstey.

I wonder how he would go driving for Team Kiwi?

[BMWST?]

OK here's the flashback - Gracefield December 1983, Hiscock (H) on the Plastic Fantastic and Holden (4) on the Aluminium one I thought. Now that doesn't look the same as the one at Wanganui yesterday - different fairings. Have I got my bikes mixed up?

number 4 looks like robert Holden.He might be on the aluminium one and dave ?11 on the plastic.A is Stu Avant on a 500 gp bike

[jellywrestler]

Merv, is it "Chivas" or "Chivos"? If it's the former, it's ot the same Chivas who used to race Chargers in Australia *30* years ago is it? :eek:

it's doug chivas, chivos is his brother neils tyre business.

[merv]

it's doug chivas, chivos is his brother neils tyre business.

I knew it was Doug that raced the sidecars as I said to White trash and so did Chivo's sponsor the outfit because I always thought he had Chivo's on his rides, and is Neil his brother the well known 6 hour rider?

[jellywrestler]

I knew it was Doug that raced the sidecars as I said to White trash and so did Chivo's sponsor the outfit because I always thought he had Chivo's on his rides, and is Neil his brother the well known 6 hour rider?

yip it his, think he died a couple of years ago thought