After the world stopped spinning and we all lived like introverts for a year and more , the shackles were finally discarded and it was ‘ back to the Burt ’ for a whole bunch of keen competitors and thousands of motorsport fans as one of the most iconic events in motorcycling roared back into life . With crowd numbers bigger than ever and the crap weather staying on the wee island north of the Marlborough Sounds , the scene was set . For those who have never been to this must-go event ( out come the excuses …), here is how it went down …
Track Day Start - Wednesday Southland Honda track day for competitors to sort their act out and spin some familiarisation laps is combined with the opportunity for non-racers to pay a discounted fee and do the same circuit . For some it is just the perfect opportunity to let off some steam without getting arrested , while for others it gives perspective on how hard and fast the Saturday racing really is . With the adrenalin flowing , the stage had been set by a dedicated bunch of
volunteers at NZ ’ s southernmost settlement , Bluff , for the NZ Hillclimb Championship .
Bluff Hillclimb - Thursday Bluff has an eye-opening trip to the summit . The course for the Star Insurance NZ Hillclimb Champs can be seen as you approach Bluff on the Thursday morning . The road looks like a steep and bumpy firebreak at first , but once you get there – it still looks like a steep and bumpy firebreak but … tarsealed . Always a fan favourite , it is a timed single bike run from the edge of town to the summit , with riders balancing the tight bends and steep incline against the ever-ticking clock . With nobody to pace off , total focus is key to eeking out the quickest time possible and hoping it was good enough to take home the first awesome trophies ( they are always awesome at the Burt Munro Challenge ). There are classes for all , despite capacity and age , and that applies to the bikes as well as the riders . A certain Mr Tony Rees won the open class , on his way to having a bunch of excess luggage
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