Munro’s legacy lives on in US
The legacy Burt Munro has left Invercargill is obvious, but it extends much further.
Tinkering in his workshop, Munro spent 20 years modifying a bike in his quest to go fast.
Munro set his first New Zealand speed record in 1938 and then a further seven more.
In 1967, he set a world record at Bonneville in the United States.
It was a story of a persistent underdog who was written off by many, a story so fascinating that filmmaker Roger Donaldson in 2005 produced a film, The World’s Fastest Indian, outlining
Munro’s feats.
Later the Burt Munro Challenge was launched, a motorbike rally which pumps millions into Invercargill’s economy as bike enthusiasts converge on the city.
However, while local businesses can thank the late Munro for ringing tills, there is a US-based company where Burt Munro’s legacy also lives on.
It was on a 1920 Indian Motorcycle that Burt Munro made his name.
Gary Gray, vice-president of racing, technology and service for Indian Motorcycle USA, said people were drawn to Indian Motorcycles because of Munro.
‘‘A lot of people wouldn’t know what an Indian Motorcycle was if it wasn’t for Burt Munro.
‘‘Him and also the movie that Roger Donaldson made about his life. Working all that time to take something that maybe went 30mph to go 180mph and set a record, it told a beautiful story.
‘‘A lot or people saw that story and because of that they know what an Indian motorcycle is.
‘‘Every year we go to Bonneville, there are at least 10 people who walk up to me and say they are in Bonneville because of Burt.’’
Gray arrived in Invercargill on Tuesday night for the start of the 2019 Burt Munro Challenge.
It is the first time Gray has visited Munro’s home town and when he saw a World’s Fastest Indian poster at the airport he knew he was in for a treat.
For Gray the highlight will be the beach racing on Friday. It’s a chance to run the Spirit of Munro Indian Scout Streamliner at Oreti Beach.
‘‘That is why we are here, to fire it up and pay tribute to Burt. To run down the same sand that Burt did over 50 years ago.’’
Indian Motorcycle has transformed a section of the E-Hayes & Sons store into an Indian Motorcycle dealership during this year’s challenge.