- $40,000 race-prepared Yamaha YZF-R6 raffled to support emerging Southland road racers
- Winning machine is a replica of Cormac Buchanan’s NZSBK Supersport championship bike
- Raffle highlights ongoing Burt Munro Challenge commitment to developing the next generation of Kiwi talent
An Auckland-based pilot with deep Southland roots has been drawn as the winner of a race-prepared Yamaha R6, with proceeds from the Burt Munro Challenge raffle helping fund young Kiwi racers chasing international success.
An Auckland-based pilot with strong Southland roots has taken home the keys to a $40,000 Yamaha YZF-R6 race bike after being drawn as the winner of the Burt Munro Challenge fundraising raffle.
Trevor Lawson, originally from Gore and raised in Mataura, purchased five raffle tickets in support of young Southland road racers and admits he never expected to be the one holding the winning number.
“I’m absolutely thrilled and humbled to win this incredible MacAttack Yamaha R6. When I bought those five tickets, I was backing the future of Southland road racing – I never imagined I’d be standing here as the winner,” Lawson said.
The machine itself is a race-prepared Yamaha YZF-R6 built as a replica of the bike Invercargill’s Cormac Buchanan used to secure his most recent Supersport 600 title in the 2024 New Zealand Superbike Championship.
Support for the next generation
Despite winning a fully track-ready machine, Lawson was quick to admit the bike is unlikely to see action under his ownership.
“Now, I need to be honest when it comes to the bike blasting around the track and clarify that while I love speed, I am a pilot, not a racer! My two-wheeled skills are more pushbike than superbike,” he said.
Instead, Lawson says his motivation for entering the raffle was to support young Kiwi talent chasing international racing careers.
“What I am is a passionate supporter and sponsor of up-and-coming kiwi racing talent, especially young Southlanders making their mark on the world stage.”
Funds raised from the raffle are being used to help Southland riders compete internationally, continuing the legacy of the Burt Munro Challenge as both a celebration of motorcycling heritage and a pathway for future racers.
Keeping Burt’s legacy alive
Lawson drew parallels between the initiative and the spirit of Burt Munro himself.
“Burt Munro embodied that spirit. He showed the world what a bloke from Invercargill could achieve with ingenuity, determination, and an unshakeable belief in himself,” he said, noting that riders like Buchanan are continuing that legacy on the global stage.
Burt Munro Challenge committee chair Bill Moffatt said the raffle’s objective aligned closely with the event’s heritage.
“The legend of Burt taking on the world from Invercargill is well documented. This initiative gave us a platform to help fuel the dreams of the next generation aiming to do exactly that,” Moffatt said.
He added that the strong community support for the raffle demonstrated the ongoing passion within New Zealand’s motorcycling scene.
Lawson also paid tribute to the Burt Munro Challenge committee, Yamaha Motor New Zealand and the sponsors involved, confirming he plans to return for next year’s event—albeit as a spectator.
“I’ll definitely have the 20th Anniversary Burt on my calendar next year – cheering from the sidelines where I belong! This is the ride of a lifetime, and I’m proud to be part of keeping Burt’s spirit alive.”
Summary
A former Southlander has won a $40,000 Yamaha YZF-R6 race bike through a Burt Munro Challenge fundraising raffle designed to support young Southland motorcycle racers competing internationally. The race-prepared machine is a replica of the bike used by Moto3 rider Cormac Buchanan to secure his New Zealand Supersport 600 title, with proceeds from ticket sales helping fund future Kiwi talent on the world stage.
