The Classic Motorcycle Festival is set to be bigger than ever this February.
Last year, 3,500 racers and spectators descended on the famous racetrack in Pukekohe in the first week of February. Over 300 racing machines from the 1940’s through to the 1990’s came to compete from all over New Zealand and the world.
The Festival, which is in its 42nd year, is famed as being the largest Classic Racing Festival in the Southern Hemisphere. Agostini, Surtees, Schwantz, Corser, Baylis, Graeme Crosby, Ginger Molloy, Hugh Anderson have all come to compete on this legendary circuit.
“It’s one of the greatest classic race meetings in the world, with some of the toughest competitors” said Kevin Schwantz, who had incredible dices with Kiwi Dave Cole at the 2009 Festival. Agostini famously rode his MV Agusta through the streets of Pukekohe and went the ‘Italian way’ around roundabouts. When organizers apologised to the local Police, they said “Best thing we’ve ever seen!”.
The quality of the racing and the quality of the bikes is unsurpassed anywhere in the world, but this year the festival side of things is set to grow. The free camping was a big success in 2019, the club ride-ins were huge and this year some of the best food trucks in NZ will be there, along with bands and a fully licensed bar to make sure the spectators get a great weekend. Rotary are getting on board too, bringing expertise and experience from running the NZ Motorcycle Show (which was cancelled this year). Graham Viall from Rotary said “A lot of motorcycle fans sorely missed the Motorcycle Show this year, us included. We’ll be back for 2020, in the meantime we’re getting behind the Classic Festival. It’s one of only a few ‘must attend’ events for motorcycle fans in NZ; the Burt Munro and Leadfoot are another two. This year it’s great news that they don’t clash, so serious fans can get to all three”.
Other highlights are set to include a Swap Meet, The Rod Coleman Collection, Spitfire and Kittyhawk aerial displays, Stunt Show, Wheelie machine and there is the hope that New Zealand’s oldest “Wall of Death” will be renovated in time to be back in action after 43 years.
For more details of the events and sponsorship opportunities, contact Ken - ken@nzcmrr.com or Ina – i.murphy@barfoot.co.nz Ina: 0274769866. For earlybird tickets go to NZCMRR.COM/ TICKETS