Bucket bikers to vie for trophies

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 677, 11 March 1997, Page 8

Bucket bikers to vie for trophies

Bucket racing is on the Saturday programme for this weekend's Carnival of Wheels. There's no buckets of the mopping variety involved, but motorcycles of the "bucket" class which is basically a low-key entry-level form of motorbike racing. Some people will be familiar with the class from last year's event or from the Wanganui Boxing Day Cemetery Circuit racing. Bikes are restricted to 125cc for four-stoke engines and lOOcc for two-stroke. The class is broken down into five divisions: Sidecar, Open, Open B, 50cc and Novice. No "off the shelf ' racing parts are allowed although self-made "hot-up" parts or copies of parts are encouraged. The idea behind this is to foster a better understanding between rider and machine without getting into the chequebook racing scene. Although hotly competitive in the open grades, everyone is there for the same reasons — to have a good time and see some exciting racing. So there is a lot of camaraderie between riders and if someone needs a few running repairs they all chip in to help. Sponsors have been generous so far and good prize fnoney will be up for grabs in all classes. The feature race at the end of the day will be the

Turoa Lodge King of The Junction and a large trophy and prize money will be up for grabs for all classes all on the track at once. Interest in the event is growing and a large number of entrants are expected, especially in the sidecar events following a recent upsurge in the number of these riders joining the bucket racing association. This year a "full-on" public address system will help competitors and spectators to keep up with what's happening. A professional motorcycle commentator, Neil Ritchie from Palmerston North, will be calling the races. He regularly calls the Wanganui street circuit races. The course is Thames Street, top of Mangawhero Terrace, Tyne Street and end of Rimu Street. Locals can enter on the day and be issued with a one-day racing permit. Most bikes, if generally well serviced, will only need a couple of small additions like handlebar endplugs and a container to catch any oil drips from the crankcase breather, to pass scrutineering. Then they only need a Standards approved helmet, leather gloves, boots, a leather jacket and leather pants. Contact person for this event is Phil Abel, 385-9023. Riders will be coming from all over the North

Island and should create quite a spectacle. Organisers hope that plenty of spectators will be there to cheer them on.