- Cormac Buchanan will host an exclusive fundraising event with MotoGP legend Simon Crafar
- Tickets available now
- The fundraiser will include auctions of exclusive sporting memorabilia and experiences
Motorcycle racer Cormac Buchanan will host an exclusive fundraising event with MotoGP legend Simon Crafar during a rare stint on New Zealand soil in October.
The Invercargill teenager will return to home for the first time this year after the Grand Prix of Indonesia, although he has no plans to relax.
Buchanan, who competes in the Moto3 World Championship with Denssi BOE Motorsport, will host a gala dinner, dubbed Grid Talk, at the iconic Bill Richardson Transport World on October 11.
Former MotoGP racer and commentator Crafar, who was appointed chairman of the FIM MotoGP Steward Panel this year, will be joining Buchanan as the headline guest speaker.
With Sky Sport broadcaster Stephen McIvor as MC, the event promises a night of exclusive insights into the world of grand prix racing.
“It will be a lot of fun to share some of the tales from my rookies Moto3 season and I know Simon has plenty of yarns from his long involvement with MotoGP and the best racers on the planet. It will be an entertaining night for sure,” Buchanan said.
“I’m really looking forward to being home and reconnecting with everyone. Even though I’m racing over here, I get so many messages of support from New Zealand it’s amazing, and it really does provide the fuel and motivation to work so hard.”
With Buchanan determined to contest the 2026 Moto3 world title, it was crucial to find the financial resources needed.
“The reality is motorsport is incredibly expensive, especially at this top international level. I’m so grateful to my family and sponsors who work so hard to give me this chance,” Buchanan said.
“They have sacrificed so much to get me into the Moto3 ranks, now we need some help to keep me on the grid so I can continue representing New Zealand.
“It took 25 years since Simon raced MotoGP to get another kiwi racer contracted and New Zealand absolutely deserves to be represented, especially given the history of riders we have in the sport. I couldn’t be prouder to follow them on this journey.”
The fundraiser will include auctions of exclusive sporting memorabilia and experiences, together with live entertainment throughout the night from band Triple Shot.
Tickets are $200 per person and on sale now by phoning 021 292 1660 or emailing [email protected]. Individual tickets or tables of 10 are available.
Working with the Southland Motorcycle Club, Buchanan plans to run a training session for junior motorcycle racers while he’s home, sharing the knowledge and skills he has gained over the past five years racing in Europe.
“It will be a lot of fun to work with the new generation of riders coming through the ranks. They are starting out exactly the same way I did and it’s really exciting to see how passionate they are already about racing,” he said.
“The Southland club and Burt Munro Challenge play a huge part in supporting my racing career and this is a chance to give back to them.”
