Ken McIntosh 1982 McIntosh Suzuki GSX1100
Although not being raced any more, the 1982 McIntosh is quite a legend. Created by engineer Ken McIntosh, the bike was raced by motorsport phenomenon Rodger Freeth, who first won the Arai 500 race at Bathurst with it in 1982. “This bike changed McIntosh Racing – we went from being known in New Zealand, to being known overseas,” Ken says. “I saw that the Japanese were very good at building engines, but terrible at frames – and realised it was possible to build a bike that handles very well if the chassis is designed well.” He came up with a fully triangulated frame and swingarm design which made the bike stiffer and more stable. There are other McIntosh Suzukis still being raced today, with some present at the festival. “These bikes are racing in the same race as the pre-1995s. When they are all out there, we should be miles behind – but we aren’t, we’re winning.”
Robert Hood and Graham Wilkinson 1971 Norton Commando sidecar outfit
This 920cc Norton Commando outfit was built in New Zealand in 2002 and has since clocked up some big wins. Owner Robert Hood (pictured right) first got into sidecars in the mid 1980s. “I was watching the racing for a couple of years, and one day a mate of mine said I should get into it. I raced my brother’s sidecar for a bit, but he sold it and I took a break for 20 years.” But when the Norton Commando popped up for sale in 2006, Robert couldn’t say no. “Sidecar racing gets very addictive. It’s pure adrenaline; you are very close to the ground and we do well over 100mph.” With his former passenger Mark Thompson, Robert won the NZCMRR championships four years in a row (2013-2016) and with his current swinger Graham Wilkinson in 2020.
Hamish Simpson 1974 350cc Aermacchi Ala d’Oro
At the tender age of 20, Hamish Simpson usually races a modern KTM RC390 single in New Zealand’s Supersport 300 championship. This has been great, he says, but racing classics is an equally-as-important passion. He was at Manfeild with an Aermacchi 350 that belongs to his dad. “Compared to the Superbikes, the Aermacchi handles like a sack of potatoes. It’s a boney bike, really raw; it has very little rider aid. Everything is basically trying to fight you.” But it’s this challenge that motivates him. “It forces you to ride hard and deal with the obstacles. Riding classics has helped me progress with the modern bikes; it helped me develop my racing skills.” Hamish started racing when he was four years old – after all, racing is in his DNA. His father David, who is known as Bart, races classic bikes as well – and hi
