By Nearing 75 years since racing first took place on the Cemetery Circuit, another diverse, international pool of superhero speedsters embark next week upon New Zealand’s most famous, active road race circuit.
Same as last year, the year prior, the huge favourite to make it four feature race (Robert Holden Memorial) glories in a row, is lap-record holder, three times NZ Superbike Champion Mitch Rees (Team Rees Racing – Honda).
In composed, proficient form at Suzuki International Series rounds at Taupo and Manfeild, the opposition field is extremely aware that near perfect, no mistake displays will-be-needed to defeat him.
With father, Tony (seven times premier race winner) sidelined through a broken ankle (sustained from an incident at Manfeild – Circuit Chris Amon), likely-top pursuers to Rees, eighth in last month’s Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix include:
Rogan Chandler (M1 Motorsport – BMW), British Supersport competitor Morgan McLaren Wood, Wellington’s Rhys Lindsay, Luca Durning and 2020 NZ Superbike Champion Alastair Hoogenboezem.
Outside F1 1000cc action, notable hoping to create quite the impression include Ashton Hughes, Sloan ‘Chopper’ Frost, Manx Grand Prix podium finisher Ben Rosendaal.
Jesse Stroud, Cameron Leslie, Richard Markham Barrett, Greymouth Street Races front runner Sasha Drain.
Karl Hooper, Ray Clee, Richie Dibben, the evergreen Heath Botica, ‘Southern Hemisphere Isle of Man’ newcomers, the Obsession Engineering team trio of Baja International Tourist Cup great Eric Wilson, long term TT Races participant Dave Hewson and American pilot Dave Thomas.
Not forgetting, three wheeling forces such as Tracey Bryan/Jo Franzen, Adam Unsworth/Bryce Rose, Barry Smith/Louise Blythe, and Peter Dowman/Lucy Dowman.
Overall, twenty-one races are-planned for Boxing Day with F1, F2 Supersport, F3, Formula Sport, Supermoto, Supersport 300, Pre 89/95 Post Classics, Classic solos, Pre 82 Sidecars, F1/F2 Sidecars entrants each having two race bursts.
Action on the 26th of December commences from 7:20 AM (New Zealand time), 6:20 PM (UK time).
Photo credit: Nick Wheeler
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
