>>LINK HERE TO PDF (38kb) of JPN Downunder 2007 Sponsors and Supporters

February 2nd - 4th 2007: Pukekohe Classic Motorcycle Heaven

'Norton Racing' once again sponsored Peter Williams to the 2007 Pukekohe Classic Festival and supported Norman White who brought his '72 John Player Norton to race. A Supporters evening was held in the Francoli Restaurant at Ellerslie on the Thursday before event practice day. A chance for supporters to have a beer and chat with Peter Williams and Norman White -& also with Brian Crighton & Steve Spray of Rotary JPS Norton fame. Mike Braid (owner of the ex Croxford framed 73 Norton Monocoque) and Jamie Waters (owner of the ex Dave Aldana 73 Norton monocoque) were also there. Norm Whites 72 JPN, Mikes 73 monocoque and the Birmingham Motorcycle Museum 92 IOM race winning Norton Rotary bikes were also there - together at head of the table!

A memorable evening to shoot the breeze, dine and talk together - and drool over three very very special bikes. Peter, Brian & Steve Spray were speaking guests for the evening. It was a special evening indeed for 30 Norton devotees and supporters. It really was.

What followed was three days of Classic Motorcycle Racing nirvana.

The Vintage and prewar races had fields of approx. 38 bikes- made up of about six Nortons, 5 Rudges, 8 AJS, 6 Velos, and a smattering of other brands. The pre63 Open class had two Vincents, 5 Tritons, 3 A65, a DomiRacer and 2 x Atlas. The Pre 63 Factory Racing class of 39 bikes was made up of 17 Manxes, 7 x 7Rs, 4 x Matchless G50s, and a smattering of others. Sidecars had 22 cars, about half being Norton, the other half being Truimph, but with a smattering of BSA thrown in. 350 Clubmans had 43 bikes - Lots and lots of BSAs, - and 9 Truimph 3TAs. And the Open Post Clasic Scratch Race: 39 bikes (!) 14 x Commandos & 1 x 72 JPN, 5 x Ducattis, 6 x Tridents - and a smattering of BSA & Guzzis. Methanol and big cubed Ducatis rule, but boy did Norman White give them a run for their money with 2 thirds and two 5th placings.

Mike Braid of Britain brought his 'ex Croxford' framed 1973 John Player 'monocoque' Norton - and also one of his 'Arter Matchless' specials - which was once raced by Peter Williams in the 60s. An original Arter Matchless in NZ!

Thanks to an arrangement between NZCMRR and the Birmingham National Motorcycle Museum, Brian Crighton - the genius behind the JPS Rotary Nortons and ace JPS rider Steve Spray were in attendance with the 1992 TT IOM race winning Rotary Norton. But also, thanks to an arrangement between the NZCMRR and the Bologna Museum, the 1978 IOM race winning Hailwood Ducati was brought over and was ridden by Steve Wynne. These bikes were paraded together with Norman Whites '72 JPN, Mike Braids 'Arter' Matchless, Jamie Waters / Jay Lawrence on Mike Braids JPN and a real live Britten ! And they werent hanging round. A soul stirring cacophony of hard core classic machinery. The bikes were swarmed after the rides by legions of onlookers who have never before, and most likely never will see anything like it again.

'Norton Racing' thanks Ken McIntosh and NZCMRR for their support. Thank you too to all our supporters to whom we salute and thank. Together we made it happen - we will never forget Peter Williams coming out, being there, and engaging with we kiwi enthusiasts. And we will never forget Norman White charging round on his JPN - fighting for placings against big bore methanol burning Tridents and 'super' Ducatis. Thank you Supporters. Thank you Norman and thank you Peter.

David Bernard: (Norton Racing)