NZ LAND SPEED
Words: Mike Wilkins Photos: Steve Knowles
RECORDS
FALL
T
he inaugural Landspeed NZ Trials on Goudies
Road near Reporoa was hugely successful
with both the New Zealand Motorcycle
and New Zealand Motor vehicle top speed
records being broken. The event attracted
families & motoring fanatics to some thrilling
turns of speed on the 6kms of straight flat
road located between Rotorua and Taupo.
“The day came together thanks to the support
of local landowners, the Rotorua District Council
and the hard-working Committee of Landspeed
NZ”, said LSNZ President John Seccombe.
The event was originally planned for February
10 but postponed due to high winds and rain. In
contrast, Sunday April 8 saw clear skies and cool,
dry conditions, near ideal for the speed runs.
“Preparation for the event has taken over a
year, organising all the safety requirements
associated with Motorsport and acquiring
the local support, permits and approval for
the road closure.” explained Seccombe.
“A special thanks must go out to all the landowners
and farm personnel on Goudies Road and its
immediate surrounding area for their support.”
said LSNZ event director Mike Wilkins. “Everyone
enjoyed the speed runs, the local hospitality, also
the privilege to use Goudies Road and properties
to stage this special event. Without their support
this event could not have taken place. Technically
Goudies Road was near perfect,” Wilkins explained.
Shane Dixon on his Suzuki Hayabusa 1340cc
achieved 336.38km/h average both ways (previous
official average both ways was 319km/h). Dixon’s
Hayabusa has an added turbo charger which,
together with other tuning, provided the horsepower
he needed to set the new NZ benchmark.
The fastest lady was 50-year-old Mandy Dekker
on her stock Suzuki GSX-R750 achieving a
267.11km/h average.
Darryl Dolby in a road legal Nissan R35 GTR
achieved 357.02km/h average both ways, edging
past the previous record of 355.48km/h clocked
Shane Dixon (above)
clocked 339.42km/h
Walter Rands-Trevor at speed
on his Kawasaki ZX-10R
16 KIWI RIDER