Nominate the greatest Kiwi racer.

[Wingnut]

Kim Newcombe is my pick. Shame he passed away so early in his career.

[vfxdog]

SPMan's list is good.
Discombe could have been a World Champ if he had been bothered. I had the pleasure of prepping a racewinning bike for him, and haven't met a nicer guy since.
But there's also Tania Satchwell- certainly way more respected in the US than in her homeland.
And John Boote; Dale Wylie; and a crazy guy called Phil Richards (I think) who raced one of the first Kawasaki triples in NZ and walked over everyone.

[Ivan]

Shaun Harris. Great guy and gives back to the sport in lots of ways with helping riders out so they can hopefully be as good as him

[pete376403]

This was just as Geoff was really making a name for himself winning races on the TR500 and later TR750 Suzukis in the States, bikes he would punt around the street circuits of NZ and I have mentioned somewhere ages ago on this forum seeing him race the TR750 at Gracefield beating Ginger on his H1R by a country mile duirng the summer before his death.

But - don't forget - Geoff had a damaged ankle (or leg) in that race, so was allowed a pusher to start (this was in the days of push starts) - and Gingers bike didn't fire off the line and he pushed the thing damn near to the first turn before it fired up. And IIRC it wasn't that much of a country mile between them at the finish, more like a country yard or two. (I was in the pits entrance, near the start/finish line, for this race) One thing that sticks in my mind is the amazing "thump" noise Gingers bike made as it went over the railway line down the main straight. Not a huge amount of exhaust noise -unmuffled chambers notwithstanding - just this noise it made over the crossing. He (Ginger) was totally soaked in sweat after the race

[roadracingoldfart]

Hugh Anderson
Ginger Malloy
Tim Gibbs
Robert Holden
Richard scott
Bob Toomey
Aarron Slight
Andrew Stroud
Simon Crafer
Jason Mcewan
Craig Shirrifs

Just a few

I was wondering when Tim Gibs was going to get a mention.
Also Bill Wetzel was a runner in the 60s .
Also worth a mention is Russel Josiah , Brian Bernard.

No 1 pick for me is Rob Holden , he started me racing back in 1982.

Paul.

[scrivy]

Robbie Dean & Tony Rees need a mention too.
What about chair teams? Leppard and Goodin - lots of titles!!

[vfxdog]

Well, if you're going to mention Bill Wetzel, then you need to include Doug Hemi....

It's going to be difficult to keep this list to 8 or 10.

And yes, Geoff Perry was well on the way to being a star.

[Big Dave]

Well, if you're going to mention Bill Wetzel, then you need to include Doug Hemi....

It's going to be difficult to keep this list to 8 or 10.

And yes, Geoff Perry was well on the way to being a star.

Cheers.

The poll host allows 10 and 'other'.

I'll list the names nominated here and take it to my executive editor for the final call.

[merv]

But - don't forget - Geoff had a damaged ankle (or leg) in that race, so was allowed a pusher to start (this was in the days of push starts) - and Gingers bike didn't fire off the line and he pushed the thing damn near to the first turn before it fired up. And IIRC it wasn't that much of a country mile between them at the finish, more like a country yard or two.

To add to that though what I remember is Geoff spending the last half of the race looking behind and just cruising under no pressure at all. Ginger's bike was hopping badly under power in the corners stepping the back wheel out while Geoff's was smooth and it was 500 versus 750 after all.

[pete376403]

So how come we can remember things that happened thirty years ago as though it was yesterday, but can't recall the name of a person (usually to do with work) that we met five minutes ago?

[RentaTriumph]

Christchurch breeds World Champion motorcyclists. Ivan Mauger, Ronny Moore and Barry Briggs.

[Rhino]

SPMan's list is good.
Discombe could have been a World Champ if he had been bothered. I had the pleasure of prepping a racewinning bike for him, and haven't met a nicer guy since.
But there's also Tania Satchwell- certainly way more respected in the US than in her homeland.
And John Boote; Dale Wylie; and a crazy guy called Phil Richards (I think) who raced one of the first Kawasaki triples in NZ and walked over everyone.

This brings back memories. I raced at Ruapuna and Levels in the early-mid 70's against John Boote in the 125 class and also remember Dale. I can still see John on a Kawasaki 90 cleaning up the 125 class.

Do you remember Ian Miles, Clint Cattermole (Nudemetalz father), Warren Guy and Owen Galbraith? They were all racing in that era.

I had many a battle against Ian and Warren in the 250 and 350 production classes.

[Robbo]

Roger Freeth, Robert Holden and Dave Hiscock. Just three of my favourites that used to race in the Castrol Six Hour at Manfield back in the eighties. Along with many others who's names i can't remember at the moment.

[vfxdog]

This brings back memories. I raced at Ruapuna and Levels in the early-mid 70's against John Boote in the 125 class and also remember Dale. I can still see John on a Kawasaki 90 cleaning up the 125 class.

Do you remember Ian Miles, Clint Cattermole (Nudemetalz father), Warren Guy and Owen Galbraith? They were all racing in that era.

I had many a battle against Ian and Warren in the 250 and 350 production classes.

I departed NZ for a few years at the end of 1970 so missed the bulk of the Japanese onslaught. There's certainly been a lot of talent come out of these small isles though. Has anyone mentioned Stuart Avant, btw?

[Big Dave]

http://www.graemecrosby.com