Motorsport: Bikes put fizz back in Paeroa

Multiple champion Tony Rees from Whakatane won the first Paeroa street race 20 years ago. Photo / Andy McGechan, Bikesportnz.com

A great number of fans and the odd motorcycle racer will be getting themselves organised for the 20th running of the annual Paeroa Battle of the Streets that starts today.

This iconic Kiwi racing event strikes a chord in racers and spectators alike.

Over the weekend the shopfronts of the small Thames Valley township will vibrate and rattle to the booming thunder of hundreds of racing bikes.

It's not often riders get the chance to howl down the main street of a town at speeds hovering around 270km/h plus, and not expect a ticket in the mail the following week.

The fans love it because they can get within touching distance of the riders as they hurl themselves around what is affectionately called the "Hacksaw".

The name comes from the shape of the 1.52km street circuit that starts in the main street (Belmont Rd and Normanby Rd - also State Highway 2). It then turns right into Arney St, over the hill into Princes St, into the "S" bends linking Wharf St to Marshall St, along the back straight to the hairpin opposite the Railway Reserve and back into the main street.

Tony Rees is multiple-champion across a number of national classes and won the very first Paeroa race 20 years ago.

Over the years he's picked up seven trophies, and although semi-retired from full-time racing, don't dismiss him as another title chance.

"I haven't done much racing recently. Some of the guys turning up have done three meetings in a row [New Zealand Superbike championships in the South Island] and will have a bit of an advantage. But that doesn't matter, we'll be here having a go," said Rees.

"I've always enjoyed riding there and look, I did the first one, won that, and did about 13 or 14 of them straight. I stopped fulltime racing in 2005 but went back last year for a bit of a ride and that's what we're doing this year."

Paeroa is an annual standalone event that is not part of any national championship so it has its own particular structure and class events.

"Paeroa is a different scenario altogether. I was the first superstock bike [finished fifth overall] last year but they don't actually have a class for that. It's Formula Paeroa, which is basically all your superbikes thrown in as well," said Rees.

"Last year we ran the bike as stock with lights and all as it was all last-minute stuff. This year it's got a little more horsepower and we ditched the lights. It's not overly tuned, just mildly tweaked and it's got a bit more pace."

The track is a rider favourite because it's not stop-start like a number of other street circuits. The Paeroa track has a modicum of flow to it and is an exciting track to race on with a couple of almost semi jumps down the back straight.

"It seems to be one of those tracks that brings riders out who don't do a lot of racing these days. Maybe it's the big crowds it gets," said Rees.

There's something on offer to keep all the fans happy with 11 classes going at it hammer and tongs: Post Classics Forgotten Era Pre 1982, Formula 2, Junior Classics, Senior Classics, Formula 3, Formula Paeroa, Sidecars, Post Classic Historic Pre 1972, BEARS, Super Motard and the Robert Holden Memorial Race.

When there's a break in the action one of New Zealand's top stunt riders, and a female companion who hangs off the bike at precarious angles, will perform. Nick Kroeze from Stunt NZ performs physic-defying stunts, including dragging a person along the track dressed only in jeans.