Offerings to the God of Speed

From zero to New Zealand's national motorcycle rally in less than five years. JARED MORGAN looks at the success of the Burt Munro Challenge.

As Wayne Affleck tells it, recognition for the exploits of Burt Munro has been a long time coming. And, like so many great men before him, that recognition has largely been posthumous.

Actor Anthony Hopkins did his bit, streaking across the screen as Munro in The World's Fastest Indian. The scene where Hopkins as Munro revs the engine of his Indian motorcycle for a race down Invercargill's Oreti Beach has etched itself into the public consciousness – even copied for a bank commercial.

Three, two, one ... Munro roars off at incredible speed across the sand – speed that eventually led him to break world land speed records.

That scene was brought to film by New Zealand director Roger Donaldson and it was Donaldson who pitched the Burt Munro Challenge as a way of keeping the momentum in the wake of the movie, Affleck, chairman of the challenge organising committee, says.

"Donaldson suggested to council it really would be the thing to do to keep it alive."

Munro and his motorcycle, the 1920 Indian Scout "Burt Munro Special", are examples of the No8-wire mentality New Zealanders are so often credited for.

The bike started life as a 600cc motorcycle with a top speed of 89kmh. Modified, with its capacity increased to 950cc, it recorded a speed of 306kmh. The modifications were done in Munro's Invercargill workshop using primitive tools.

A latecomer to motorsport, the then middle-aged Munro and his equally aging Indian would go on to set a slew of New Zealand land speed records in the 1940s and 50s.

He had his sights set on a loftier goal, though: to compete at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, United States, the most famous location for speed runs in the world.

He was 63 when he made his first trip as a competitor in 1962 and set a land speed record of 288kmh. His Indian was 42. He travelled there eight times. His 1967 under-1000cc record of 295.4kmh remains unbroken. He went faster, hitting 305.88kmh during a qualifying run.

Some pundits suggest Munro's records may never be broken, ensuring Munro will always have a place in the public consciousness.

It wasn't always this way. While Munro was well-known in motorsport circles, he didn't actively pursue fame and wider recognition came 27 years after his death, Affleck says.

"He was never really held in high esteem when alive. He wasn't really recognised locally."

The 2005 movie about his exploits brought that recognition and proved the springboard for one of the south's most successful annual events.

Donaldson's pitch was one the Southland Motorcycle Club couldn't resist, Affleck says.

At the time the club was working with Venture Southland to establish street racing in Wyndham, he says. Taking the event wider on the back of the movie's success seemed a good idea, but the event had to be attractive enough to bring punters to the south.

"From there a committee was put together between Venture and the club." The Burt Munro Challenge was born.

Southland Motorcycle Club president Craig Hyde said the result was an event that was a "big machine from the start".

"Based on the first year we knew the enormity of it."

However, the idea copped some flak in Invercargill, Affleck says. "One of the initial criticisms of us was a perception we were inviting bikies to town."

The critics ignored the fact that, like all motoring enthusiasts, it's an interest that requires money to pursue. The moneyed 40-plus-year-olds who flocked to the south for the inaugural event in 2006 silenced the critics and the gamble paid off, he says.

The challenge has a strong local and national following and international recognition came with certification from the Federation International of Motorcyclists as New Zealand's national motorcycle rally, attracting top New Zealand and international riders as well as weekend warriors.

Five years on, both men freely admit being humbled by the event's success. Affleck thinks he knows why. "It's recognition of its uniqueness. I don't think there's anything else like it in the world ... it covers so many different disciplines ... it's certainly unique in the southern hemisphere."

The event has grown in its five-year history; hundreds of motorcyclists make the pilgrimage to Munro country for the event and it is fast becoming an earner.

Affleck tips this year's event could inject $1 million into the southern economy. The economic windfall extends beyond Invercargill; the event takes in roads lest travelled in the south.

The New Zealand longtrack championship and New Zealand Grand Prix longtrack join a formula that has remained largely unchanged, except for the addition of the Bluff Hill Climb and New Zealand hill climb championships last year. The events offered over four days include the rally, Oreti Beach racing, the Bluff events, Teretonga sprint racing and Speedway Spectacular capped off by the Wyndham Street Race.

The final event cannot be underestimated in its impact.

Located 45km east of Invercargill with a population of 550, it's fair to say Wyndham is off the beaten track. Yet, the rural service hub is fast gaining a reputation for "in-your-face" adrenaline and petrol-fuelled action, Affleck says.

It might be only one day a year, but it means a lot to the town.

Hyde credits the Wyndham community for the success of that leg of the challenge. "Wyndham put on the day themselves and they do a fantastic job."

Wyndham Community Board chairman Digger Eunson puts it simply. "Well, all the visitors come ... hey, we've got a day where Wyndham is recognised. It draws attention to our little town."

Wyndham and the other events are fixed, at least for now.

Affleck believes the event may have reached a tipping point. The formula is successful, but expanding it further would be difficult. "Realistically, that's because of the manpower involved."

Instead, he sees growth in other directions.

"More and more people are tagging on to it with other events and that's healthy."

It also carries a risk. "The danger is it becomes disjointed."

Preventing that and keeping the event cohesive and fresh are the future goals, he says.

Hyde says gaining sponsorship is a continuing challenge and has become a year-round job.

"When we finish this weekend we'll have a debrief, then we'll meet again next month and start again ... it never really stops."

This year it has been more of a challenge – probably indicative of the state of the economy, he says.

However, in five short years the challenge has forged a reputation he believes gives it legs well into the future.

As for what Munro himself would make of it, both men are unsure.

"I don't really know. I would expect he'd be honoured," Affleck says, before pausing. " ... Maybe, just really surprised."

Hyde echoes that sentiment.

"I think he'd be a bit overwhelmed, really ... taken aback. He wasn't really a public figure himself. He might wonder what all the fuss is about."

- © Fairfax NZ News