KEY POINTS:
For the first time since 1973, Kim Newcombe's Konig Grand Prix race bike will roar into action.
Newcombe raced in the 500cc World Grand Prix championship, becoming the first New Zealander to win a 500cc GP and finished second to Phil Reid in 1973 championships, ahead of Giacomo Agostini.
He became famous for joining forces with Dieter Konig and designing a bike using a two-stroke, four cylinder outboard boat engine, which he developed and maintained himself through out the season. He sustained serious head injuries, which led to his death, at a non-championship race at Silverstone in 1973 while leading the 500cc world championship. He still finished runner up.
Friend and his former mechanic, Rob Tingate, has brought the bike to New Zealand for the 30th anniversary of the NZ Classic Motorcycle Festival meeting this weekend at Pukekohe. The bike has never been seen here before and Tingate is hoping to take it for a spin over the weekend for the first time since 1973. "I got the engine and gearbox and a mate of mine bought some of the last parts from the factory before it closed down," said Tingate.
"I made moulds of the tank and had the factory drawings of the chassis so I could make that and I had an original radiator. I made a leading shoe front brake exactly the same as Kim used so it's all very original."
Tingate, who has been promoting Newcombe's efforts, thought this weekend would be an great opportunity to showcase his old bike.
