Racing stakes high

Press, 25 February 1987, Page 28

Racing stakes high

With $20,000 prize money at stake and most of the top names in nonJapanese motor-cycle racing competing, the BEARS “Sound of Thunder” race meeting at Ruapuna Park this Sunday is unlikely to be a picnic. Promoted by the BEARS (British, European, American Racing) section of the Corsair Motor Cycle Club the meeting has but one eligibility rule—no Japanese bikes. The 150 machines entered range from Harley Davidson roadsters to thoroughbred Grand Prix racers. Along with the mainstream British sportsters such as Triumph Bonnevilles, Trident triples and Norton Commandos, the classic British singles will be well represented, with the former world champion, Hugh Anderson, riding a very fast Matchless G5O in the classic event and a Norton/B.S.A. in the Superstock class. Strong inter-island rivalry is likely with such experienced racers as Bill Biber (BMW K 1000), Bill Cooney (Ducati 750 Fl), Dallas Rankine (Ducati 600 F2) and John Cuerny (Vincent 1000) from the North Island meeting their South Island counterparts such as Lindsay Williamson (Mclntosh framed Harley Davidson XR 1000), Phil Payne (Motoguzzi Le Mans 1000), Jon White (Norman Hyde Triumph Trident 850) and John Britten (gritten 1000).