There is double the reason to commit to the upcoming fourth round of five in this year’s New Zealand Superbike Championships, with the Hampton Downs event also featuring the New Zealand TT (Tourist Trophy Races).

So mark your calendar for Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17.

The event is being promoted and organised by the Auckland Motorcycle Club Inc who plan on making this a full on family event, catering for the children and the wives/partners of the petrol heads, says AMCC spokesman Graham Bastow.

For the racing enthusiast there is a wide variety of classes;

NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIP CLASSES: Superbike, 600 Supersport, Superstock 600, Superlite, 650 Pro Twin, 125GP.

SUPPORT CLASSES: Post Classics (Junior, Senior, pre ‘72, pre ’82, and pre ’89) and Development class.

Ticket prices are: Adult $25, Family $45 (two adults & 2 children).

For the youngsters (Under 12’s who will have free entry if accompanied by an adult) there will be a range of activities supplied by Cambridge company ‘Event Fun’ they will be bringing surf board challenges, mazes and slides, along with a face painting artist and caricaturist who can produce quick drawings for not only the kids but for other individuals and race teams, etc.

The emphasis for the spectator being on fun, with lots to see and do. In addition a  range of craft stalls from local artists within the North Island displaying and selling their work as well as trade/dealer/accessories stands from the motorcycle industry and stands from others displaying their business’s wares from specialist camera suppliers, camping gear to tool suppliers and so much more.

Not forgetting this is event for the petrol heads, a display of American muscle cars and some Harleys will be there for the public to stare deep into the chrome among a few other surprises such as John Britten’s stunning pink and blue creation as well as other exotic machines on display.

Stunt rider Nic Kroeze will entertain in the lunch time crowd showing what is possible on a motorcycle on one wheel and the speed at which a perfectly usable tyre can be destroyed. The American muscle cars will also get to show spectators what they sound like with a couple of laps of the circuit.

There will be food outlets and fresh coffee available from onsite caterers and access to ‘Hamptons’ the bar and food outlet with a panoramic view from turns one to two from its deck.

BRING A RADIO. Riders and spectators might like to bring an FM radio and tune it to 106.8 fm; most cell phones have this capability. Race teams are also advised this is going to be the best way to hear not only the commentary but also dummy grid calls.

Hampton Downs is working at extending the public address system and improving the quality but is still not 100% yet so to keep in the loop about what is going on it is advised that you tune in 106.8FM at the track.

Come and enjoy a fantastic day at the circuit and watch the track thrills provided by some of the best riders from New Zealand and from several from Australia in some of the closest racing we have seen in a long time.

Not forgetting at Hampton Downs plays host to the stand alone New Zealand TT championships which have been run since the early 1930’s and started being run on Waiheke Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf. The last Superbike race of the weekend is also the “Geoff Perry” memorial race. So it is a full on weekend of two wheel action.

Make it a date, Saturday, March 16 (practice and qualifying and racing.) Sunday is a full day of fun and racing.

Family entry is $45 mum, dad and two children (additional children $5), Adults $25, Children under 12 free if accompanied by a fee paying adult.

The meeting is being organised and promoted by the Auckland Motorcycle Club Inc. www.amcc.co.nz