N.Z. motor-cycle champion back home from Australia

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33818, 15 April 1975, Page 28

N.Z. motor-cycle champion back home from Australia

(By

ROD DEW)

“The hard times have only made me more determined to do well.’’ said the 1974. New Zealand 350 c.c. motor-cycle road racing champion, Stewart Avant, who has returned to Christchurch after spending two months competing in Australia.

“My stay in Australia made me realise just how badly-prepared riders are in New Zealand,” he said.

“I have come home because I want to spend time up-dating my TZ7SO Yamaha and generally preparing myself for major international events later this year.” In Australia Avant showed ability to match the top Australians, but he was dogged by ill-fortune and handicapped, financially, by the lack of a sponsor. At Amaroo Park, in his first meeting in Australia, he fitted mufflers to the tailpipes of his racer and the pipes promptly split.

But worse was to come. In the next meeting at Oran Park he was using an old rear tyre while practising and the machine slid out from underneath him on a fast right-hand bend. Avant

hit his head on the track and the bike was extensively damaged. “I didn’t know whether I was in New Zealand or Australia.” Before the fall he had looked to be one of the leading contenders for top honours. He was the third fastest in practice. With the help of New Zealanders living in Australia Avant managed to get

his Yamaha repaired in time for the rich Bathurst international meeting. But lack of funds forced him to retain worn parts in the engine and this was to prove his undoing in the main race — the Australian unlimited grand prix. He stopped after three laps to remove bandages off his arms — they had swelled up underneath his leathers, the result of old injuries. This left him in twen-ty-third place. He brilliantly fought his way up to eighth before the engine of the Yamaha failed on the last lap. Earlier Avant suffered similar bad luck in the production race. He was first away on his Kawasaki 900 and led the field until it “started changing gear by itself.” He was finally forced (out when the engine seized. “I didn’t, win anything, but I learned a tremendous amount, especially about how to set up a TZ7SO Yamaha for racing. 1' now want to put this knowledge to good use.” He intends to modify the suspension and frame, fit magnesium wheels, and build up a stock of tyres and spare wheels. He is also keen to get a smaller TZ3SO Yamaha or equivalent machine to race in New Zealand. “I would like to win back my national titles next season. 1 know I can do it.” He is also keen to regain the New Zealand senior and junior grand prix titles he left undefended this year. But this will only be possible if the meeting is moved from Easter to “a more reasonable time.” S.E.-ASIA Avant intends to race in national meetings at Porirua and Napier in SeptemberOctober before returning to Australia for the Pan Pacific international series. He also hopes to race in South-East Asia before again returning to New Zealand for the Marlboro international series, which begins at Christmas.