KEY POINTS:
Most of New Zealand's top motorcycle road racers plus a strong contingent from overseas will contest the Boxing Day races on the cemetery circuit in Wanganui.
For the first time there will be a Supermotard contest, incorporating road and off-road racing, which has attracted twice-Australian champion Josh McFarlane. The Australian contingent also includes Scott Charlton and Chris Seaton, who are racing Yamahas in Formula 1 and Formula 2, the sidecar teams of Mitchell and Brandon Cluff and Stacey Sellar and Darren Abrahams.
English rider Guy Martin could find the front of the field in Formula 1 and Formula 2 very crowded with so many top locals. Rounding out the international guest entries is Paul Dobbs from the Isle of Man, a Triumph development rider.
Sixty-eight-year-old Ginger Molloy from Huntly, a former works rider for the Bultaco team, will be guest of honour.
Singh in custody
Wellington Toyota series driver Jayant Singh has been remanded in custody on two charges of aggravated robbery, two of using a firearm during an aggravated robbery and a charge of money- laundering $190,000.
He entered no plea and was remanded until February 14 when he appeared in court in Wellington this week.
Entry-level bikers
The Top Trail Rider Enduro Series, ideal for entry-level dirt bikers, has been reintroduced for the 2007 season with the first races in the northern series to be held in Riverhead Forest on March 24. Then follow: Tairua, April 14; Hukerenui, May 5; Taupo, June 3; and Ngaroma, October 13.
Kart invitation
Matthew Hamilton's third placing at this year's Toyota TDP Challenge kart meeting in Japan has prompted Yamaha Motor New Zealand to extend a similar invitation to KartSport New Zealand for the 2007 event. The 2007 contestant will be chosen at the sprint kart championship meeting at Palmerston North over Easter.
V8 on fast track
Ford driver John McIntyre hopes to go even faster when the New Zealand V8s take to the new Taupo track next month. The Hawkes Bay driver completed 60 laps of the A1GP configuration on a test day and showed Ford still have an edge over Holden.
McIntyre was the quickest driver when the V8s came to Taupo last year, but was subsequently disqualified for an engine illegality.
Rally driver impresses
Emma Gilmour is set to contest a round of next year's Italian national rally championship in a Subaru Impreza after impressing her team, and the fans, at last weekend's Bettega Memorial Trophy event in Bologna.
Driving a fully developed world rally car for the first time, the 26-year-old Dunedin driver placed seventh equal in a quality field that included several stars of the world rally championship.
