By Unfortunately after 25 plus years of high level national roads competition, event organisers have confirmed that competitive action at the popular Paeroa ‘Battle of the Streets’ meeting, will cease from this year on wards.
Prime reasons for this decision according to the Paeroa Promotions Trust, include rising costs plus limited spectator numbers from recent events.
Since the ‘Battle of the Streets’ meet first arose onto the roads calendar in 1991, a host of New Zealand’s leading closed roads exponents have gone onto record class victories on the under 1 mile long street circuit.
At a glance just some of the most famous race winners from recent years have included Cemetery Circuit legend Tony Rees, Scott Moir and next generation New Zealand roads talent Daniel Mettam.
Photo by Doug Cornes
Mettam amongst the leading newcomers this year to the Cookstown 100, gave his reaction via Facebook to the cancellation of race action at Paeroa:
“Sad to hear today after 27 years Paeroa street race is no more. Had some good memories here and results was such a good event every year in February usually in perfect sunshine.
Happy to say I won the last ever F1 superbike race there.”
On a much more positive note for pure road racing in New Zealand, it’s looking like a world leading International road racer is Wanganui bound in December for the Cemetery Circuit Races, with an announcement anticipated in coming days.
Words by Stevie Rial
