By Hat trick heroes was the term I took from Sunday’s competition at the Honda Invercargill Street Races, with no less than 14 racers claiming three victories.
Premier class wise, the F1 Superbike races saw New Zealand roads icon Tony Rees reign supreme. The seven times Cemetery Circuit Races feature race winner, kept at bay challenges from the likes of Heath Botica and Formula 3, Bears F1 pace setter Jonny Lewis to take three successive wins.
Luca Durning proved the man to beat in the F2 Supersport class, taking like Rees three successive wins whilst others to accomplish this feat were the following:
The aforementioned Jonny Lewis (Bears F1/Formula 3), Gary Cotterell (Classic Pre 63 Junior up to 500cc/Pre 89 Classic Sidecars), Gary Wells (Classic Pre 63 501cc +), Phil Price (Classic Pre 63 with Girder Forks).
Vince Burrell (Post Classic Pre 72 501cc +), Geoff Mahon (Post Classic Pre 82 up to 600cc), Chris McMeeken (Post Classic Pre 82 Open), Nigel Lennox (Post Classic Pre 89 Junior up to 600cc).
70th fastest racer in TT history Jay Lawrence (Post Classic Pre 89 Open), Jon Rawcliffe (Post Classic Pre 95), Layton Mathson (Pre 89 Classic Sidecars, passenger to aforementioned driver Cotterell) and Mark Smith/Dean Corrigan (Pre 82 Classic Sidecars).
Racers not showcased yet who also claimed victories following action around the tight, technical, short Invercargill roads course were respective Bears Junior, Super Moto victors Allan Henry, Paul Fisher, Andrew Rudd and Mitch Rowe.
Overall a top, top day’s racing at Invercargill which concluded in style the latest Burt Munro Challenge series, that honours and some the legacy of one of New Zealand’s greatest ever sportsman.
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
