- Cemetery Circuit has unveiled a six-shirt collection to celebrate its 75th anniversary.
- Each design honours a defining rider or era from the Boxing Day street race’s rich history.
- The limited-edition shirts are available by pre-order only, with no planned reprints.
Who doesn’t love making the pilgrimage to Whanganui on Boxing Day to witness some of the best street racing action in our own backyard? It’s almost a rite of passage for motorcyclists in NZ. Well, incredibly, this year is the 75th anniversary of the iconic Boxing Day races, and to celebrate, the organisers have unveiled a special collection of limited-edition T-shirts celebrating 75 years of the Cemetery Circuit.
The six-design range pays tribute to some of the biggest names and defining eras in the history of the iconic Boxing Day event, with each shirt representing a different chapter in the Whanganui street race’s remarkable story.
From the pioneering days of Rod Coleman through to the dominance of Tony Rees, the anniversary collection aims to celebrate the riders and machines that have helped make Cemetery Circuit one of New Zealand’s premier motorcycle events.
A shirt for every era
Leading off the collection is Rod Coleman, commemorating the very first Cemetery Circuit meeting in 1951 when Whanganui’s streets were transformed into a race circuit for the first time.
The Marlboro Series shirt honours American Grand Prix star Pat Hennen, representing the 1970s era when factory-backed two-strokes and international riders elevated New Zealand road racing to new heights.
Few riders are more closely associated with Cemetery Circuit than Robert Holden, whose incredible run of success during the 1980s and 1990s earned him legendary status. His shirt celebrates what organisers describe as the “Holden Years” after 19 consecutive victories around the Whanganui streets.
The turn of the century is represented by Craig Shirriffs, whose performances ushered in the modern era of superbike racing and rewrote the record books.
Current legend Tony Rees features in the “Rees Legacy” design, recognising a career that has spanned decades and made him the most successful modern-era rider at Cemetery Circuit. Rees remains the outright lap record holder and continues to add to his remarkable legacy.
Recognising that Cemetery Circuit has always been about more than solo racing, organisers have also produced a dedicated Sidecar Edition, celebrating the spectacular three-wheel class that has entertained crowds for generations.
Limited run
Unlike standard merchandise, the anniversary shirts will only be produced to match pre-orders, with organisers confirming there will be no reprints once orders close.
Fans can purchase an individual shirt representing their favourite era or collect the complete six-shirt set. A free shipping offer is also available for orders of three or more anniversary shirts.
The release forms part of a year-long celebration marking the 75th anniversary of Cemetery Circuit, one of New Zealand’s oldest and most prestigious motorcycle races. First held in 1951, the Boxing Day meeting has become a fixture on the Kiwi racing calendar, attracting many of the country’s greatest riders alongside international stars over the decades.
To order your 75th anniversary merch, head to the Cemetery Circuit website shop at https://cemeterycircuit.co.nz/shop/
And if you order 3 or more 75th Anniversary Shirts, using the coupon Free75th will give you FREE shipping.
The t-shirts are $49.00 each available in Mens Sml – 3XL / Womens Sml – Lrg.
