Pukekohe New Zealand 2012.....the first part of a pictorial look at this long running world class historic race meeting........

Pukekohe is a road race circuit situated within a horse racing complex in the town of Pukekohe, some 45 minutes south of Auckland in New Zealand and has had an  meeting for historic racing motorcycles since 1980 and is a world class meeting.
Part of the secret, apart from the laid back atmosphere that the Kiwis excel in is that decision made when they first started to only cater for British, European and American motorcycles. 
Originally pre 1962, there has been some tinkering around the edges.
I've run posts on previous meetings over the years...search for them in the facility over on the RHS of my blog.....
Left click on the images to bring up enlarged ones.
Feel free to use the photographs which are all mine.....

Every year there is either a motorcycle theme or special guests invited to participate.
This year former sidecar racer and smaller motorcycle manufacturer, Colin Seeley was a guest as was Bill Swallow, a well known exponent of the Isle of Man Manx GP and Velocette in particular. Despite his age, well lets be frank about this he's the age of many of us likely viewing my blog!.... Despite his age he is a real "hard charger" and rides the wheels of any racer he throws his leg over......

The photo, above, from the program shows his fierce determination racing.
I suggest he takes no prisoners....
The map above from the program gives an indication of the circuit layout etc and as mentioned above earlier posts cover where it is in NZ.
The meeting is always on the first weekend in February so you've plenty of time to sort out getting there for next year.....
I always said as a motorcyclist there were three things I'd like to do before I "put on the wooden overcoat"....
Go to The Isle of Man for the TT or Manx GP, visit Daytona beach races, go to Bonneville Salt flats during record week...well there's a fourth... take in a Pukekohe meeting in early February....
So this will be in two parts....the first will cover the racing motorcycles, pictorially, the second a look at some of the spectator motorcycles.....
Put your spectacles on....follow me.....!

All parts of the circuit are accessible to the spectating public, including the pit/paddock area, hence the laid back atmosphere...you can rub shoulders all day with the famous in motorcycle racing of the era we are re-creating.
There are always heaps of Manx Nortons and when you cross into the paddock area you are face to face with the McIntosh racing complex of tents..."Mr Manx Norton", Ken McIntosh has a brace of machines for his and the use of riders from around the world....

Jim Scaysbrook over from Australia , editor of "Old Bike Australasia",and riding a 500 Manx, pictured with Peter Addison, long time friend and racer, over drumming up some business for a revival meeting of the Trans Tasman car racing series, to incorporate some motorcycle races and be based at Sydney's Eastern Creek racing complex.
The town of Pukekohe has been included now in the greater Auckland area and as such the Auckland council has control of the area....they sent up a noise meter crew and the meeting , rather quite a few racing motorcycles were in trouble.
You were warned...it was a ride by reading, then if you failed again you were black flagged and excluded from riding...harsh treatment a string of Velocettes were sidelined, Mk.8's etc...

Jim Scaysbrook's Norton seemed ok...but the Aussies have had to put up with ever decreasing noise level restrictions for some years now and adapted.

Others made desperate overnight attempts including chicken coupe wire mesh etc.....

A Japanese riders G45.

Some chose to use the classic push start...while others used modern technology with rollers....

Paul Adams from California.....

Bill Swallow from the UK given a push by Dave Kenna. Dave Kenna supplied and prepared the Manx Norton Bill rode.....

Lets just look at some of the bikes I saw and photographed in the pits....

Colin Seeley would talk the leg off a lamp post, a very gregarious and friendly person...here he autographs posters for spectators....

The racing was fast and furious as usual and Bill Swallow took no prisoners...a couple of shots of Bill #82 dicing with #135 Warren Marsh, 500 Manx Norton ....

Bill won the race....
Colin Seeley and Bill Swallow were featured in the program...