Big boost for Mike Pero

Press, 29 March 1979, Page 21

Big boost for Mike Pero

One of New Zealand’s most promising and talented young road racers, Mike Pero, of Christchurch, is to be fully sponsored for the next 12 months by the new Yamaha dealers, Jack’s Yamaha. He has already been provided with a new Yamaha TZ2SOF racer and will make his first serious appearance on this in the New Zealand grand prix at Ruapuna Park on Sunday, April 15. He will also have the use of the unusual Norjo 125 special for the 125 class. And he will not have to

worry about maintaining the bikes. lan McGregor, who has a long and successful association with motor-cycle sport as both a rider and a mechanic, will ensure that the two bikes are in top shape. Pero, who currently leads the New Zealand 410 cu cm production championship by four points, also hopes to continue racing in this class. If he wins the title this season, it will be for the second successive year — a remarkable achievement in one of the most hotly contested classes in the sport. In the season now winding to a close, Pero has made a highly successful foray into the road racing classes, as distinct from the production racing classes. He is currently third in the New Zealand 350 championship behind two vastly more experienced riders, John Woodley (Blenheim) and Dave Hiscock (Wellington). He would dearly like to end the season by winning the New Zealand junior grand prix at Easter.

“I am counting on a win at Ruapuna. It is my home track so that should help,” he said.

A short time ago, Pero thought that this might mark his last appearance in the racing classes. In spite of his great first season, he has found the costs so high that he could not consider continuing without help. “It has been real great — so much better than racing the production bikes.. But it has also been so much dearer. The costs are astronomical.”

He has already put his Yamaha TZ3SO up for sale.

However, Jack’s Yamaha has come to the rescue with the offer of sponsorship and the latest TZ2SOF racer. He has tested the bike at one training day at Ruapuna Park and is well pleased.