Mike Pero Southern Classic
T
Words & photos: John Cosgrove
he action out on the track at the Levels
Raceway near Timaru was just as hot as
the scorching weekend temperatures
experienced by the 221 riders taking
part in the fourth annual Mike Pero
Southern Classic motorcycle races.
Fast times were the goal as competitors who
ranged in age from 15 to 75 years, pressed hard
to find extra speed out of their over 30-year-old
motorcycles around the tight and twisty circuit.
Former European motorcycle racing cup
winner Avalon Biddle said she thought it was
great that the older riders were out there,
“They have a lot of experience, although they
are not as young and flexible as they used
to be they still have the aggression and that
drive to win, but it was all for fun” she said.
Biddle raced aboard her Aprilia RS250, for
the first time in five years and said her smaller
size was more suited to smaller motorcycles.
Biddle was just one of a number of current
and former national and international racing
stars on show at the Classic Action Motorcycle
sports (CAMS) organised meeting.
The line-up included stars including Aaron
Slight, Andrew Stroud, Graeme Crosby,
Gary Goodfellow, Dennis Charlett, Hugh
Anderson, John Hepburn, Jock Woodley, Paul
McLachlan and Australian superbike star
Robbie Phillis, and the guest of honour AMA
superbike star Wes Cooley from the USA.
CAMS President Dave Reesby said that
classic motorcycle racing was the fastest
growing part of the sport in the world, “It’s all
about keeping the stories of the past alive
and seeing the old bikes being restored.”
Reesby said people enjoy seeing bikes they grew
up with and lusted after, being raced by like-
minded enthusiasts. “Yes, we’re there to race but
more importantly we here to have a beer and
a barbeque afterwards, and talk in the pits.”
Reesby said he felt the social side was the
most important part and this was probably
why this event has grown so fast.
Former World Formula One motorcycle champion
It’s so laid back and yet it’s
so competitive, us normal
people get to race with wo rld
champions, motorcycle
royalty, it’s fabulous