ROAD NEWS

By Andy McGechan

the Suzuki International Series at all this season . Despite the COVID-19 pandemic forcing so many governments worldwide to instigate drastic measures in a bid to curb the virus , Willacy had courageously believed it might still be possible to run a scaled back version of December ’ s popular annual stand-alone roadracing series . And so , back in November he advised the motorcycling community and other stakeholders that rounds one and two of the 2021 Suzuki International Series – set for Taupo and Manfeild respectively – would be canned , but he said that fingers were crossed that the third and final round , the Boxing Day racing around Whanganui ’ s fabulous , world-famous Cemetery Circuit , might still go ahead as planned . Sadly , this has not proved to be possible and there would now be no Suzuki International Series running at all this year . “ We have had to make this call due to the uncertainty and restrictions surrounding COVID alert levels and how events might possibly be able to run under these circumstances . “ Another major issue we faced was our inability to secure and provide firm plans to our many marshals and volunteers , who , without their invaluable help , we cannot run .”

He said planning for the third and final round , Cemetery Circuit , was still going ahead until late November , but then Willacy was forced to concede on December 1 that even that dream was now but a forlorn hope . “ We know this is disappointing news and we are sure everyone understands why we have had to make this hugely difficult decision ,” said Willacy . The new traffic light system was imposed at the start of December and the Whanganui region was one of those placed in the red traffic light zone , possibly as a result of lower vaccination rates in the region . “ This decision that we have had to make hurts to our hearts and souls , but we cannot go on with constantly moving goal posts that we have been doing everything we can to align with for the past few months . We have tried everything we possibly could to run these events ,” said Willacy . “ To all our long term sponsors including Suzuki New Zealand and all our other supporters and businesses who every year offer their support and assistance , to the volunteers , the riders and spectators , we are truly sorry and deeply disappointed .” He said he hoped that the Suzuki International Series would be able to run again in 2022 – at Taupo , Manfeild and , finally , on Whanganui ’ s world-famous street circuit .

90 KIWI RIDER