Parade celebrates Munro’s 50-year record
Invercargill did Burt Munro proud on Saturday, at the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of his world speed record.
A parade of about 125 bikes took to the main street to mark the occasion.
Onlookers were treated to a display of bikes of all shapes and sizes, from trail bikes to Triumphs, as well as a replica of Munro’s own 1920 Indian Scout.
While the procession did not quite match the speed of Munro’s record run, they more than made up for it in sound.
Event organiser Stephen Winteringham said he was blown away by the number of people taking part. ‘‘We were only expecting about 15 riders, so we were pleasantly surprised to have over 100 turn up on the day.’’
A beach race had initially been planned for the event, but had to be cancelled due to low registrations.
‘‘It was a bit disappointing to have to cancel the beach race but with the turnout we’ve had today, it’s turned out pretty good.’’
Bike enthusiasts from far and wide made the trip to honour the Southland legend.
Doug Wood, who had previously competed in the first 10 Burt Munro Challenge events, made the trip from Melbourne, Australia.
‘‘I thought I’d come over and have a look.
‘‘It’s turned out really well, the fact they are able to let kids join in and have unregistered bikes be a part of it, is great.
‘‘In Australia you couldn’t do it – there’s just nothing like this out there.’’
Graham Prior and Andrew Macdougall travelled from Christchurch to ride in the parade.
‘‘What Burt has done is bloody incredible, so we were coming regardless of whether the beach racing was happening or not,’’ Prior said.
From 1962 to 1967, Munro set three world speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, USA, on his heavily modified 1920 Indian Scout.
Munro set his final record for the under 1000cc class on August 26, 1967, when he was 68 years old.
Reaching a top speed of 296kmh (184mph), Munro’s record still stands to this day.