This year’s Burt Munro Classic events are ticking along like clockwork, Southland Motor Cycle Club vice-president Bill Moffatt says.
"It all seems to be going well. Everything seems to be on track."
He believed the Bluff Hill race, which had a smaller spectator turnout than past years, might have been affected by the threat of rain.
"The weather certainly changes people’s minds about whether they want to go out there or not.’
"They managed to avoid the rain down there ... and the sun had been shining down there most of the day."
The track was mainly sheltered by surrounding bush from the strong winds affecting other parts of the region.
The gathered crowd saw about five runs from each of the three categories: over 600cc, under 600cc and Superquads.
Whakatane rider Tony Rees took first place honours with his 44.091sec ride in the over 600cc class. Southland rider Mark Hodgkinson’s 46.224sec won the under-600cc section and Ian Newman won the Superquad with 51.779sec.
Moffatt said after five people were injured at last year’s race, this year spectators had been confined to designated protected areas and could only access the hill’s summit via the walking trail or bike tracks.
"Before they could walk on the outside of the road, which is not ideal ... so access from the start line was fenced off."
Riders were still arriving into the city, which he expected to continue until tomorrow, Moffatt said. He expected about 2000 registrations this year.
Despite heavy rain overnight on Tuesday-Wednesday, the Oreti Park Rugby Grounds Rally site had been able to absorb the water and not turn into a mud bath.
- By Toni McDonald
