By 69 years since race action first took place on the Cemetery Circuit, another top draw, high class entry will embark upon New Zealand’s most famous roads venue on Boxing Day, including reigning national Superbike Champion Alastair Hoogenboezem.
Current Suzuki Tri Series F1 Championship leader, Hoogenboezem is in great form going into next week’s competition at Whanganui and there’s no doubt that he has the race craft, potent turn of pace to be in prime contention for the coveted Robert Holden Memorial feature race crown.
Outside of Tasman’s Hoogenboezem, attention a plenty will also be focused upon seasoned event front runners such as Daniel Mettam, Sloan Frost, Scott Moir and Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championship rostrum finisher Damon Rees.
Son of event legend Tony Rees, the new Ashcourt Racing signing, new team mate to two times successive Steve Henshaw Gold Cup victor Lee Johnston is tipped by many to claim next Saturday multiple big bike successes.
Photo by Terry Stevenson
Added notable entrants include Mitch Rees, Adam Chambers, local favourite Jayden Carrick, David Hall, Dan McKenzie, Rogan Chandler.
Dale Finch, Ashton Hughes, Zak Fuller, Toby Summers, Heath Botica, Nick Southerwood, yesteryear racing specialist Vince Burrell, Richard Markham-Barrett and Greymouth pace setter Seth Devereux.
Photo by Bruce Jenkins
In total 21 races are set to take place in seven days time with F1 Superbike, F2 Supersport, yesteryear solo, Sidecar classic, Super Twin, Super Moto, Gixxer 150 class exponents each having two race stints.
Whilst the entry for the Carl Cox Motorsport supported modern Sidecar races boasts multiple local three wheeling heroes including Barry Smith/Stu Dawe, Adam Unsworth/Bryce Rose, Bruce Roberts/Jim Bilby, Tracey Bryan/Jo Mickleson and David McArthur/Doug Cornes.
Words by Stevie Rial
