Pukekohe 2011...Undoubtably the biggest classic motorcycle event in the Southern Hemisphere and likely the most laid back in the world.....a pictorial visit.....

The first weekend in February each year, well since 1980, has seen the NZ Classic motorcycle Racing Register put on what is certainly the largest Classic Motorcycle race meeting in the Southern Hemisphere and I would go so far as to say the most "laid back" in the world....
Strong words from the Velobanjogent.....
But I been to this meeting since the first and only missed a few over the years.....
Let's look at this years...2011.
I'm covering this over two blogs, this is the general one and following will be a Velocette oriented one......
So  take a visual trip with me to the meeting....
Left click on the images to enlarge....
Where is Pukekohe in New Zealand?

Situated around 70km south of Auckland in the North Island, the Auckland airport is at Manukau and its a 45 minute drive down to Pukekohe....

The road race circuit is within the grounds of the big Counties horse racing venue and utilises some of its facilities.

The New Zealanders are pretty passionate about their sport and articles covering the event appear in the main Auckland newspapers....

Here's your entry ticket...lets go...

As soon as Judy and I walked down through the parking area we spied the Velocette venue run by the NZ Velocette Register....but no more DQ,  this is for the next blog...

Crossing the circuit into the paddock or as we call it, the pit area, I walked into the McIntosh Racing entourage encampment.
Ken McIntosh has a worldwide reputation for his work with the Manx Norton and stores and fettles bikes for riders from countries all over the world as well as local and I noted Californian Paul Adams' 500 Norton, Australian publisher of "Old Bike Australasia" Jim Scaysbrook's 350 Manx
See...http://www.chevron.com.au/motorbikes_mag.html
 And the Japanese entourage with their Rennsport BMW.....

Ken fettles other brands....a Vincent Black Lightning, Californian Virgil Ewings' factory Jawa special, Brough Superior...

A Mk.8 KTT...ex Arthur Wheelers'.....hold it DQ, only a peek...this is for the next blog...

During a lunch break we were treated to a fly-over and aerial display from a WW2 Kittyhawk and  Spitfire....great sounds from the Allison and Merlin engines...

There were numerous other brands to look at...the Benelli tent...

Former Continental Circus member Ginger Molloy's brace of TSS Bultacos...

A feature were prewar 4-cylinder machines in a special tent display, mostly US "irons", but two Danish Nimbus's caught my eye...

A resourceful lot the Kiwis, even a tent to repair your leathers...

A bit of "crumpet" found its way onto a Velocette....

A board track racer exhibit....

Spied in the parking area, a well modified Moto Guzzi from the UK on a round the world tour....

And to finish off...an interesting copy of an early steam driven bicycle that was seen "steaming" ?? around the area....