By 73 years since racing first took place on the Cemetery Circuit, another top draw, international field embarks next week upon New Zealand’s most famous, active road race circuit.
Arguably the stern favourite for feature race spoils, looking to make it three successive Robert Holden Memorial race wins is lap record holder Mitch Rees.
Illustrating high quality form at prior Suzuki Series rounds at Taupo and Manfeild, the opposition knows that faultless, near perfect displays will be needed to defeat him.
Likely top contenders to the Whakatane rider include father, event icon, fellow Honda pilot Tony Rees and TT ‘Aliens’ Davey Todd, Peter Hickman.
Senior TT winner Todd (also entered in Supermoto races), due to be astride FHO Racing BMW apparatus, has looked in good shape earlier this month at above-showcased Taupo, Manfeild venues.
Same applies to fourteen times TT winner, world’s fastest road racer Hickman, whose steed of choice is his own teams PHR Performance BMW.
A second Robert Holden Memorial title in the works for Hickman? Todd to add the ‘Southern Hemisphere’s Isle of Man’ showpiece to a glorious 2024 season resume?
Both are prophecies with great potential, quite the Boxing Day in prospect!
Others considered potential podium finishers in the F1 Superbike, 10-lap feature race include Rogan Chandler, Alastair Hoogenboezem and former Paeroa ‘Battle of The Streets’ victor Scott Moir.
Outside 1000cc competition, additional notable entrants include to name but a few Wolfgang ‘Wolfi’ Schuster, newcomer, Mountain Course stalwart Timothee Monot, Luca Durning, Morgan McLaren Wood.
Zak Fuller, Ashton Hughes, Shanon Dellow, Sloan ‘Chopper’ Frost, Cookstown 100 winner Daniel Mettam, Carl Cox Motorsport supported Jay Lawrence, local ace, Supermoto category favourite Richie Dibben.
Three-wheeling aces Tracey Bryan/Kendal Dunlop, Adam Unsworth/Bryce Rose, Barry Smith/Stu Dawe and Peter Dowman/Michael Dowman.
In total 23 races are planned to take place on Boxing Day with F1 Superbike, F2 Supersport, yesteryear solo, Sidecars modern & classic, Formula Sport, Adventure, Super Twin, Super Moto, Supersport 300 class exponents each having two race stints.
Action on the 26th of December commences from 7:20 AM (New Zealand time), 6:20 PM (UK time).
Photo credit: Craig Dawson
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
