Enduro 2007 at Mt Wellington

In the early 60's my Dad used to race go-karts on this track, in the beginning days of the speedway when dustbowls greeted his twin-McCulloch engines.

Sealed and slick, the raceway has curves that Mae West would have appreciated.  For me, it was an introduction to scooter racing in the flesh.  Sharing the track with races hosted by the Auckland Motorcycle Club, the scooter racers competed in the Endurance Race of 50 laps.  A warm up that seemed like a race itself with the scoots going counter-clockwise and then the biggie started.

We watched the line-up at the start line as Damien, Mark, Matt, Roger, Kevin and Ryan sweated as the flags signalled start.  The front wheel of Ryan's small frame lifted into the air as the clutch bit and they were off.  The two Lambrettas of Kevin and Matt certainly had power and it took a few laps for Ryan to overhaul Matt.  The dueling of these two racers was really a pleasure to watch with the crowd favouring the small frame with its 135 engine scurrying ahead of the TS1.  Kevin's Lambretta was quick in the mid-field. Damien rode with his usual smooth style as Roger chased on his new Gilera Runner painted in the tricolour and Mark hammering around the bends after Roger. 

Mark's spill, possibly as a result of a rear wheel blowout, put him out of the race in a spectular fashion.  He had a ringside seat to the rest of the 50 laps awaiting the end of the race before he was moved. 

Ryan, clearly the leader, showed the excellent handling of the small frame and very good power down the straights.  His win was acknowledged by the audience of scooterists and from the members of the motorcycle family.  John, the race manager paid particular comment to Ryan on it having been a really good race to watch.

Support for the Endurance racers came from scooterists:  Chris C, Trish, Lara, Fluoro, Yuri, Rebecca, Glen, Ron, Goetz, Mandy, Gary, Margret, Richard, Rhys, Sarah and partner, Lisa and partner, Neil M, Dimetrios, Francis and partner, Jonathan, Tonette, Marshall.  Anyone else?  Goetz provided doughnuts for lunch: thanks, really appreciated.

Dry track, sunshine and excitement.  Good to have shared the Enduro experience.

PS: I have approx 150 photos of the scooter racers - let me know if you want more on the website?  Trish and Rhys will have some to offer too.