BEARS - Classic Bikes - Classic Sidecars - Clubmans - Vintage - Tributes

29th  Annual Classic Festival Event 2008

To see  rare collectable classic motorcycles from Europe racing was one thing but to see Sammy Miller racing is something else!!

Pukekohe Raceway Park - New Zealand

 

Essence of a Classic Era

Featuring Sammy Miller with the AJS Porcupine and Gilera 500. Also featuring The Hailwood Honda 500 courtesty of Virgil Elings Solvang Motorcycle Museum. Britten display courtesy of Kevin Grant.

The biggest motorcycle gathering of it's kind in the Southern Hemisphere and the most historic trip down memory lane for classic motorcycles and sidecar racing enthusiasts proudly presented by the NZCMRR (New Zealand Classic Motorcycle Racing Register).

This was the "Year of the Porcupine" for the Classic Festival with the AJs 500cc parallel twin grand prix racer, the only machine of its type still running. The E90, as it's known officially got the nickname "porcupine" from the distinctive cooling fins on its motor. Nothing prickly about this bike which is owned by 'Register' friend Sammy Miller and a major exhibit at his museum in the UK. The 'Porcupine' (European Classic racer) makes a first time appearance in New Zealand and the return of Rod Coleman the first New Zealander to win an Isle of Man TT and former captain of the AJS works team. Since 1980, the Register and committee's made it possible to bring many famous grand prix races that otherwise might never have reached these shores.

And the skies opened up.....

10th February 2008

Four Seasons in one day is true of New Zealand's unpredictable weather and on the last day of the Classic Festival there was no escaping this sudden downfall of rain. I was perched high on a wall of tractor tyres which looks across the hairpin off the back straight and no time to do anything other than get wet and shoot what I could from under my raincoat. Even the most experienced riders found this a little scary in the moment they said after this race.

Albums and Photos can be located in the BRB Shots Gallery.