Stroud on form in Bluff Hill climb

JOHN HAWKINS/151363

SUPERBIKER: Andrew Stroud surges up Bluff Hill during the opening event of the Burt Munro Challenge.

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New Zealand motorcycling great Andrew Stroud was only able to arrive at the Bluff Hill climb halfway into the event yesterday, but still managed to show why he is regarded as one of the best in the business.

Stroud, who was competing in his first hill climb, ended up third overall in the open class section of the competition with a quickest time of 52.36 seconds on his Suzuki GSR 1000. It was a fantastic effort from Stroud, who drove from Queenstown to Bluff yesterday morning and pretty much jumped straight out of his car and on to his bike.

He said it was always going to be tough to claim the Hill Climb open class title because of his limited preparation. "I could have done with a few more runs to know exactly where you're going and where the road goes."

Stroud will be in Invercargill for the whole weekend and said he was excited to be involved in the Burt Munro Challenge for the first time.

"It's good to be part of the whole thing and bring the Superbike and the Britten down. "

Stroud is rated as one of New Zealand's finest motorbike racers. He won the Battle of the Twins at Daytona in 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997, as well as the inaugural BEARS (British, European, American Racing Series) and is a seven-time New Zealand Superbike Champion.

Stroud's iconic pink and blue Britten bike will be on display at E Hayes and Sons on Dee St today and the public will also be able to get a glimpse of it at the Sprint Races at Teretonga tomorrow and the Wyndham street race on Sunday.

Teretonga sprint race organiser John Beck said it was a real coup to have Stroud at this year's Burt Munro Challenge.

There are only about 10 Britten bikes in the world and Stroud's is one of only two in New Zealand. Beck said it was a rare chance for the Southland public to get out and get a glimpse of the famous bike.

Stroud and fellow New Zealand motorcycling legend Aaron Slight spoke at the launch for the Burt Munro Challenge last night, at the Ascot Park Hotel.

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