and so fast … so fast. The biggest thing is to spend time there and learn it.” Mitch and Mihi Rees will be staying with great mate, Davey Todd, so the experience from last year’ s standout rider and lots of laps and notes in a car will help immensely. The transition from the racing Mitch has done this year to take the title and a bunch of lap records in a stunning season, and also The Suzuki Series against Todd and Hickman( which Mitch won …) show he has the raw speed but the Kiwi races are ten minutes of fast racing, whereas six laps of the Isle Of Man is much more of a marathon and the average speed is way higher, so expect to see a super lean, fit Mitch get the tap on the shoulder that sends the riders off at the fantastic but terrifying event without peer that is the Isle Of Man TT. We cannot wait to see Mitch in action and wish him all the very best as we live vicariously through his racing exploits. Needless to say, it costs a chunk of change as well as time to take on this mission, so if anyone wants to help by sponsoring the NZSBK Superbike Champion as he takes on the challenge, get in touch with Team Rees and watch‘ your man’ fly. Also on the assisting topic is a raffle that is raising funds for the campaign, so if you want to go in the draw to win some awesome prizes while you lend Team Rees a helping hand, get in touch with them and put your $ 50 into the pot. Mitch is running # 92 on his bikes, as his late brother, Damon( Damo), ran, so the cheering from couches here in NZ ought to be extra loud as we watch the action unfold around the iconic Mountain Course starting on May 26 with practice and qualifying rounds taking up the first week. Racing proper starts on May 31 with the first Superbike race that will feature Mitch on June 1. Racing continues right up to June 7. After that, there is a chance that Mitch and Mihi will do some more racing while in the UK as Clive Padgett has left that door open but with Mitch stating that he may have to reintroduce himself to the staff back at the shop in Whakatane, nothing is set in stone. So that is a week of night-time race watching to warm the winter up …
Photos: Andy McGechan, bikesportnz. com
KIWI RIDER 13