Wyndham Street race axed

**unstuck** · 22nd April 2015, 19:26

BIG CHANGES AS BURT MUNRO CHALLENGE MARKS A DECADE
Southland’s famous Burt Munro Challenge will get a makeover when it celebrates ten years this November.
After fantastic support in the early years of the event, the Wyndham Street Races Committee, made up of members from the Wyndham community, has opted not to continue running the Wyndham Street Races which had become an iconic event as part of the Burt Munro Challenge. The committee cited stretching the limited resources of the small community combined with a harder economic environment (forcing increased costs over the past three years) as the major factors behind the decision not to continue.
BMC committee Chairman, Wayne Affleck, said that whilst it is disappointing to lose Wyndham from the racing line-up, he understood the community’s decision. “The Wyndham Committee, assisted by the wider community, has done an outstanding job in running the event since the Burt Munro Challenge began in 2006. Not only has the race developed a great reputation here and overseas, it has put Wyndham on the map for all the right reasons”, Mr Affleck said. “They have been a great group to partner with and we are full of praise for their efforts”.
The BMC committee is currently exploring ways to fill the gap on the final day of the Challenge, including the potential for a new Street Race event in Invercargill. “It’s early days but already the feedback is overwhelmingly positive from our major stakeholders, local council, and surrounding businesses. We are very excited to have the opportunity to develop another event around the knowledge we’ve gained during the past nine years in Wyndham”, Mr Affleck said. “All the necessary permits and consents need to be approved before the new Street Race event can be confirmed but everyone involved is committed to working together to make it happen".
Another enticing addition to the 10th BMC is the reintroduction of BEARS classes in the Teretonga Circuit Races and proposed Street Races. Cross entries in up to two classes will also be permitted this year, making the journey South more worthwhile for competitors.

**MIXONE** · 22nd April 2015, 20:03

Bugger.I am going this year for the first time.

**scumdog** · 22nd April 2015, 20:11

Bugga here too - I always got a buzz out of watching those mad buggers!

**Nicksta** · 22nd April 2015, 20:25

double bugger, i was going for my first Wydham street race and Burt Munro challenge!

**unstuck** · 23rd April 2015, 04:19

Yep, damn shame all round really. Was a good day out for many locals, and a good chance for many of the spectators to check out the Wyndham-Letterbox rd after the event.

**Muzzab** · 26th April 2015, 16:40

That's a bugger, really glad I made the effort to race there last year.

**Shaun Harris** · 27th April 2015, 09:44

That event was actually the best part of the whole show, bugger

**Grumph** · 27th April 2015, 11:22

Relax and read Stucky's first post a bit more carefully guys. I'm not privy to what's going on behind the scenes this time but i'm sure there will be a replacement venue. I do know several small towns around the area were very keen to replace Wyndham previously.
From the club's point of view having more than one venue interested is a very good thing...

**Reckless** · 27th April 2015, 13:18

Originally Posted by Grumph

Relax and read Stucky's first post a bit more carefully guys. I'm not privy to what's going on behind the scenes this time but i'm sure there will be a replacement venue. I do know several small towns around the area were very keen to replace Wyndham previously.
From the club's point of view having more than one venue interested is a very good thing...

Certainly wish them luck and I hope so. 35 years on a bike and I've never been down to a Burt??
But the above might be a deal breaker if they cant replace it as the road race would be a main attraction for me.

**unstuck** · 27th April 2015, 15:09

Originally Posted by Grumph

Relax and read Stucky's first post a bit more carefully guys. I'm not privy to what's going on behind the scenes this time but i'm sure there will be a replacement venue. I do know several small towns around the area were very keen to replace Wyndham previously.
From the club's point of view having more than one venue interested is a very good thing...

Yes, there have been talks, at this stage I believe Invegiggle is the main contender. I think the only other 2 options are Gore and Winton, but logistically speaking I think they are having some issues. I have suggested a course in Gore that would be a good one, to our mayor who is a bit of a petrolhead but the rest of our council are pretty stuffy shirted. At this stage I predict Invers getting it.

**Kickaha** · 28th April 2015, 19:27

Originally Posted by unstuck

I have suggested a course in Gore that would be a good one,

Clear out the sheep out of the house and get your spare room ready I might be coming to stay

**unstuck** · 28th April 2015, 19:37

The bastards, almost exactly the course I had suggested to Hicks the mayor, and he gave me a speil about how they could not get Transit NZ approval for the Hokonui drive bit, plus I reckon the motards should have another jump in the liqourland carpark. Hope it does go ahead anyway, would be good apart from the corrugations coming into the right hander on the traffic bypass.