KEY POINTS:
One of two motorcyclists killed in a race track smash at Pukekohe yesterday had rekindled his passion for motorcycling and died on a "buzz", his wife said last night.
Phillip Harrison, 43, of Mangere Bridge and Derek Hill, 35, of Upper Hutt died at Pukekohe Park during their final lap of the 600cc sports production race in the New Zealand Superbike Road Race Championships yesterday.
Mr Harrison's 9-year-old son and his mother were at the track. They did not see the accident because it occurred in an area seen only by marshalls, but they saw the aftermath.
Mr Hill's father was also present.
Mary Harrison told the Herald last night that her husband, a mechanical fitter, was racing his new Suzuki GSX-R on its third meeting and was competing in his first national race.
His mother had told family and friends gathered at his Mangere Bridge home last night that he was "buzzing" over the event.
Mr Harrison had recorded his fastest lap time during competitions yesterday, and was leading the Auckland Motorcycle Club's clubmans series.
He had rekindled his passion for motorcycling during the past year, Mrs Harrison said.
"He always had a passion for bikes. It was his number-one love," she said.
"He loved his bikes. He's just a warm, caring person, a great friend ... just warm, loving, always there to help people. He's going to be missed by so many people and he's loved by so many people."
The couple, who had been together for 17 years and married for 10, have a daughter aged 6 as well as their son.
Mr Harrison also enjoyed playing soccer and deer-hunting.
Mrs Harrison said their boy was coping as best as could be expected, and her mother-in-law had appreciated the chance to say goodbye to her son at the scene, although he was dead before she got to him.
Police investigating the cause of the crash say one of the riders was waving to indicate a problem - possibly a mechanical fault - when he was hit from behind.
Sergeant Adam Pyne of Pukekohe said the impact speed was about 250km/h.
Mr Pyne said a slight rise on the track might have concealed the slowing rider, and police believed the oncoming competitor was doing "full race speed" when the crash occurred. There were no skid marks.
Racing was stopped for three hours as police investigated. Mr Pyne said the motorcycles ended up about 70m from the point of impact.
Mrs Harrison said she did not know Mr Hill, but his father had approached them at the funeral home last night and offered his support.
"He's lost a son and I've lost a husband and the kids have lost a dad. We're in the same boat. He was very, very nice. He gave us all a hug."
Mr Hill was the president of the Victoria Motorcycle Club in Feilding, where he organised races.
Motorcycling New Zealand CEO Paul Pavletich said the accident was a tragedy and he extended his condolences to both families.
