year and , if his current overseas racing schedule allows , he ’ ll be determined to come back and defend his crown . In addition to the glamour Formula One class , there will again be races for Formula Two ( 600cc ), Formula Three , Bears ( non-Japanese ), 150cc GIXXER Cup class racers , pre-89 Post Classics , F1 Sidecars , F2 Sidecars , Supersport 300 and Super Motard ( dirt bike ) riders . Expect to see riders such as Alastair Hoogenboezem ( Formula One ); Avalon Biddle ( Formula Two ); Richard Markham-Barrett ( Formula Three ); Malcolm Bielski ( Bears Senior ); Blane Hannah ( Bears Junior ); Gian Louie ( Post Classics , pre-89 Senior ); Steve Bridge ( Post Classics , pre-89 Junior ) and sidecar pair Barry Smith and Stu Dawe , to name a few , all vying for the top prizes . This time next year , the bike racers will once more hare down Ridgeway Street , along Wilson Street , into Taupo Quay and Heads Road , before looping around Guyton Street and back into Ridgeway again , all of it at eye-watering speeds , often in excess of 200km / h . There is no doubt that these riders will ignore stop signals , fail to give way and , most probably , swerve across the centre line at every opportunity , with police no doubt turning a blind eye to the legal mayhem . And there are very few places in the world where this can happen , Whanganui counted as the premier street race venue in the Southern Hemisphere . The 1.6km course comprises eight corners , a railway crossing , an over-bridge and blind s-bends , flanked on either side by graveyard headstones . Thousands of spectators will cram every nook and cranny as bikes race past almost within touching distance . Riders can ’ t believe it and spectators love it . You have to be there on Boxing Day next year to see who takes out the 2022 series overall and , of course , to witness who claims the most sought-after , one-off Robert Holden Feature race trophy .
SHINY SIDE UP BACK FOR 2022
Shiny Side Up is back for 2022 with some minor tweaks to the previous year ’ s arrangements . Shiny Side Up is a celebration of all things motorcycle , which is usually split into two types of events . The Talk Series tours the country bringing several speakers to share their stories , tips and answer questions on all manner of topics from track racing and touring the world , to bikes setup and maintenance . The other side of Shiny Side Up is the Bike Fest events , which generally happen at four locations around the country . They are larger , all-day affairs , including a lounge , with speakers from the Talk Series events , as well as a demonstration area showing stopping distances with and without ABS , Stunt riders , formation riding and Motogymkana and more . For 2022 , the Talk Series events will be hitting 11 locations across the country , while the Bike Fest events have been called off ... for obvious reasons . Following last year ’ s cancellations , a new online event was added to the roster and makes a return this year - hosted by our very own Ray Heron , among others . It ’ s shaping up to be a stellar riding season , so check out the Shiny Side Up dates , and join in when they are in a town near you .
KIWI RIDER 89