Grand Prix legend Kevin Schwantz is making his first journey to New Zealand to help celebrate the 30th anniversary of the largest motorcycle gathering in the southern hemisphere, the New Zealand Classic Motorcycle Festival at Pukekohe.
The festival is known internationally as one of the top classic motorcycle events in the world, with a long list of the rarest bikes and the most famous riders attending the event over the past 30 years.
The 1993 world 500cc champion follows in the footsteps of other great racers; world champions Geoff Duke, Umberto Masetti, John Surtees and Giacomo Agostini at the 30th Anniversary of the New Zealand Classic Motorcycle Festival.
But unlike the others, he’ll actually be racing.
World renowned motorcycle builder, Kiwi Ken McIntosh has brought him over to race a classic 1962 500cc Manx Norton in the feature races at Pukekohe this weekend.
“A friend of mine who knows Kevin suggested I contact him,” said McIntosh.
“When he won the world championship he bought his dad a Manx Norton as a present.
He’s always had this Manx sitting there but had never ridden it so we thought we’d capitalise on that.
”There might be a little bit of pressure on his shoulders as it’ll be his first time on a Manx.
“Everybody keeps asking me if I’ve ever ridden one.
I’m like ‘No’ but it’s got two wheels, an engine and shifts one way and stops.
I’ll figure it out while having the most fun I possible can.
“I’ve heard a lot about McIntosh-built bikes and I’m really looking forward to riding one” said Schwantz“I think the public always has a keen eye for the guy who’s always putting out 100 per cent,” said Schwantz.
“In the late 80s, early 90s there were a few of us out there doing that.
Rossi still talks about that era and Stoner does as well.
Us guys back then (Wayne Rainey, Eddie Lawson, Mick Doohan, Daryl Beatie and Wayne Gardner) made the sport most of what it is today.
”“It was an era that was less forgiving and I hadn’t been road racing for all that long and had a steep learning curve.
I didn’t have any time to ride around and learn things the right way.
I just learnt from trial and error and hoped each time I fell down, that I could learn something from it and not make the same mistake again,” he said.
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“Nah, I’m happy with the time I did,” said Schwantz.
“Of course as a racer you sit back and think I can still do it but I don’t want all the grief and pressure anymore.
”Kevin Schwantz is considered the most spectacular rider to ever race in motorcycle Grand Prix and was one of the most successful with 25 premier class wins and 21 lap records.
When Schwantz retired from professional racing in 1995, was held in such high regard by the FIM, that his racing number 34 was retired from the sport.
The first time in history such an honour had been bestowed on a rider.