Cliff-Hanger this weekend

TONY SAMPSON, of Masterton, will be defending his record in this weekend's Gladstone Cliff-Hanger motorcycle hillclimb.
In 2004 Sampson screamed up the steep, winding hill in 2:13.875s, averaging 182.9km/h (114mph) on his Yamaha R1 over the 6.8km Te Wharau Road course.
On the way he negotiated 27 corners and climbed around 1000ft, with cliffs on one side and a huge drop on the other.
Now he reckons he's got the machinery to at least equal that time, a new Suzuki GSX1000 on which he has been clocked at 305km/h (190mph).
The event has New Zealand championship status, the championship classes being up to 600cc and 601cc to open. There are support classes for sidecars, road bikes and classics and post-classics.
Saturday is fun/practice day.
There is parking near the start line and a couple of good viewing spots up the hill. Racing starts at 9.30am and there is a lunch break from noon till 12.25pm. Spectators moving around the track need to keep clear of the road outside these times.