Jump in registrations for Methven’s Mountain Thunder Race

3 April 2014

Jump in registrations for Methven’s Mountain Thunder Race

Just-crowned national bike racing champion Bailie Perriton will be one of the star attractions at the Ride Forever Mountain Thunder Motorcycle Street Race this Easter Saturday.

Registrations officially closed Monday for the community-run race and 16-year-old Perriton’s confirmation – on the back of his 2014 NZ250 production win last weekend supported by Team Kiwistars – may draw an even bigger crowd to Methven than the 5000-strong crowd normally expected.

Other notable competitors include Zane Agate, New Zealand’s number two in the Superlite class, Alastair Hoogenboezem who recently came third in the national Supersport class and previous multiple Formula Methven winner Dan McKenzie - back this year to try and reclaim his crown.

In its fifth year, registration numbers for the jointly-run Methven Lions and Classic Action Motorcycle Sport club in Christchurch (CAMS) event have jumped 20% on this time last year.
This could mean more than 100 riders competing on 130 bikes in this year’s event (80 riders competed on 110 bikes in 2013), says event co-ordinator Sue van den Heuvel.

“It’s exciting to see such strong support three weeks out. We’ve got more riders coming from the North Island than in 2013 which will benefit the town as every rider we attract from outside the region needs to stay and eat locally. The Super Motards and Buckets classes are nearly full but we’ll accommodate last minute entries where possible as we don’t want to disappoint anyone,” she says.

MC for the event has been confirmed as renowned New Zealand bike racing commentator Graeme ‘Spyda’ Staples from Lower Hutt. Despite 35 years riding and 20 years of commentating behind him, Spyda will travel to Methven for his first Ride Forever Mountain Thunder Motorcycle Street Race.

“It sounds like a great event and I’m looking forward to seeing the unique course they’ve created through the middle of town,” says Spyda.

As a New Zealand Superbike Series commentator and former New Zealand road race champion, Spyda is a veteran on the racing circuit, having commentated at 17 meetings last year between Invercargill and Auckland.
Team Kiwistars, an Ashburton-based business which supports up and coming motorcycle racers, will bring a large support crew to cheer on Bailie Perriton in three classes - F4/F5 buckets, Junior clubmans & Formula Methven.

“Bailie will ride three bikes at Methven including the one he won the nationals on at the weekend. The Ride Forever Mountain Thunder Motorcycle Street Race is a really good opportunity for locals to see him in action. That’s not always the case with other races when you’re often located far from the track but the Methven one you can count on being close to the action,” says Team Kiwistars spokesman Merv Orford.

The Spring Lynne circuit sees riders taking one practice run before six laps of racing where speeds of more than 200kph are reached. The one kilometre race is unusual within New Zealand as the circuit loops the town centre and spectators can view action from within the course perimeter. This year’s event is set to be even more impressive for spectators with the addition of a fly-over walkway provided by South Fuel Ltd.

Gates will open at 9am with racing going through to around 4pm. Adult spectators are $20 with children and youth 16 years and under free this year.

For more information please visit www.mountainthunder.co.nz

ENDS

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