This year, 240 riders heeded the call, earning the "Burt" a record number of entries.
Last year's challenge attracted motorcyclists and racers from as far as France and, this year, a group of motorcycle enthusiasts is making their "Munro-grimage" from Canada.
Southland Motorcycle Club vice-president Bill Moffatt said this year was the event's 18th, and would have been the 20th year if not for Covid.
"We've got a record number of about 240 entries, so we've got a lot of people coming to race.
"It's more than last year and the year before that.
"The numbers on the other events are up a bit too," Mr Moffatt said.
THE VINCENTS
Australians make up a sizable number of participants at the challenge, and this year a fiery foursome will be coming to showcase their Vincent sidecars.
"There's a crew of Australians coming to race at the Speedway on some Vincent sidecars.
"These (bikes) are quite nostalgic," Mr Moffatt said.
The Vincents were an old design V-Twin 1000 but they were way ahead of their time, so were sort of classic sidecars, he said.
"There's four of them coming, so they'll be quite exciting"
Australian veteran racer Bill Swallow, who had raced for "yonks" and around the Isle of Mann, was attending as part of the transtasman team.
The Burt Munro Challenge has previously had classic sidecars take part but has never featured top New Zealand level ones, formula one and two sidecars until now.
THE CHALLENGE
"We are just looking forward to it, and we are looking forward to some fine hot weather, which it should be, because it's been getting that El Nino pattern, so it's got that look about it.
"It's all go, we are all prepared.
"The beach racing, because of the tides, is in the afternoon on Friday, so it's not later in the day _ about 2 o'clock _ and it'll probably go through to about maybe 5pm or 6 pm," Mr Moffatt said.
Challenge organisers are encouraging newbie and veteranparticipants to explore the area.
"Go and have a ride around Southland and do the Southern Scenic or Colac Bay.
"Make sure you go to everything, and then have a good look around the place as well."
