John Hempleman
JOHN HEMPLEMAN, one of New Zealand’s top riders in the ‘50s and ‘60s passed away on the 19th August 2019, aged 86 years, from pancreatic cancer.
After beginning a motor cycle mechanics apprenticeship, John started his racing career riding a KSS Velocette graduating onto a Mk 8, putting in performances that gained him selection for the 1955 N.Z.A.C.U Isle of Man team, riding Nortons. This followed with racing in Europe with steady results, only to be embroiled in the infamous Dutch T.T. riders strike along with most of the Commonwealth riders. John returned to Europe again in 1957 and competed there through to 1960, having stellar results in 1959 on his Nortons, and again in 1960 together with a works ride on the factory M.Z.s, resulting in a 4th in the
125cc I.O.M. T.T. and finishing 5th overall in the World Championship that year. He was chosen as the N.Z.A.C.U. I.O.M. Team Captain in 1957. Following his marriage to Beth in late
1960, John started his motorcycle shop in Onehunga, Auckland, securing a Honda agency. He continued riding locally and rode his good friend Jim Redman’s spare Hondas when Jim toured Down Under in 1963/64, winning the 125cc race at Longford, Tasmania, to wind down his competitive career on a successful JAP engined Ariel in the local grass track events. John, perhaps, did not receive the recognition he deserved. He was a very neat, tidy, successful rider, setting a very professional example, was always well organised with well prepared bikes, and whilst giving of his best, was always mindful of his next meeting and being there; a true professional. He closed the motorcycle shop in 1984 and retired to the North Auckland seaside town of Leigh where he took up deep sea fishing amongst other pursuits.