Thousands flock to Wyndham for racing, sun, quiet drink

Related Links

2010 Burt Munro Challenge, days 1-3 2010 Burt Munro: the fans 2010 Burt Munro Challenge, days 4-5 Burt Munro Challenge Wyndham Street races

Relevant offers

Burt Munro Challenge

Talk about lucky Biker crashes on way to rally Burt Munro-style all the way Invercargill final leg of trip Crowds roar in to take up Munro challenge Southland rider secures solo Grand Prix win Rally campers arrive Pair to defend title during 'mini-Daytona' Rare beauties at motorcycle show The roar of the Burt Munro Challenge

Sunburn singlet lines, cardboard box hats and sweaty leather-clad bikers were common sights in Wyndham yesterday as thousands of people lined the streets for the final day of the Burt Munro Challenge.

The street races marked the end of the four-day challenge and was a relaxing day for most as they hid from the scorching sun by sprawling under trees or sneaking under grandstands.

Burt Munro organising committee chairman Wayne Affleck said about 6000 people attended the event, which made for a great atmosphere.

"It all went very well, the racing was exciting, the crowd loved it and ... I think the sun was to thank.

"The God of Speed must have had a talk to the weather gods because they walked in together today," he said.

Wyndham residents were making the most of their town being the centre of attention.

Oscar Wright's one-story free-standing bar and balcony, which could be mistaken for a small house because of its size, was a star attraction off the track with visitors stopping to snap photos.

Mr Oscar said he built the structure with his neighbour specifically for the races over a "few 24 packs", but he was more proud of how busy the town was than his own handiwork.

"It's just unreal – people in the town have cleaned the sections up and everything ... they are really proud," he said.

Anita Davers, who was atop another tourist attraction in the form of a pallet and couch grandstand, said she loved seeing so many people in the town enjoying the sunshine.

"All the people are great – I love the bikes and the noise... [and] it's a good excuse for a drink, too," she said.

Police praised the organisers and participants in the Burt Munro Challenge after an almost incident-free weekend.

Sergeant Pete Graham, of the strategic traffic unit, said the only incident was yesterday morning when a middle-aged female motorcyclist fell from her bike as she approached Wyndham.

She suffered a suspected broken collar-bone and leg, he said.

No-one was arrested in relation to the Burt Munro Challenge, Mr Graham said.

Fourteen people were processed for drink-driving during the weekend and none of them was on a motorbike, he said.

- © Fairfax NZ News

Newest First

Oldest First