MNZ PRESIDENT’S COLUMN
- Mac McLeod celebrates the clubs, volunteers and families who keep motorcycle sport running.
- Summer brings fresh competition across New Zealand’s road racing and motocross scenes.
- The MNZ president’s challenge: pick an event, bring a friend and support the sport.
As the summer racing season gets underway, Motorcycling New Zealand president Mac McLeod celebrates the people who make it happen—and has a simple challenge for BRM readers.
Words: Mac McLeod, President, Motorcycling New Zealand
For many of us, this is the best time of the year: the summer race season.
The bikes are ready, the gear has been dusted off and race entries are rolling in. Across the country, riders are preparing for the first meetings of the championship season. Whether your passion is road racing, motocross, trials or simply being part of the broader motorcycling community, there’s something special about the start of a new season.
One of the great privileges of serving as President of Motorcycling New Zealand is the opportunity to spend time with clubs and riders throughout the country. Over the past year, I’ve travelled to events, talked with volunteers, met riders and their families, and seen first-hand the huge amount of work that goes into our sport.
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What strikes me every time is the passion.
It doesn’t matter whether I’m at a major championship meeting or a small club event. The same commitment is there: volunteers marking tracks before sunrise, officials spending entire weekends ensuring events run safely and fairly, parents loading bikes and gear into vans and trailers week after week, and riders dedicating countless hours to improving their skills.
Motorcycling New Zealand is built on these people.
“It doesn’t matter whether I am at a major championship meeting or a small club event. The same commitment is there.”
Mac McLeod
As another season gets underway, we’re looking forward to some fantastic competition. Across road racing and motocross, we’ll see established champions defending titles, young riders making their mark and plenty of close racing that reminds us why we love this sport.
But great race meetings are about more than what happens on the track. They’re also about the people who come along to watch.
As riders, we love hearing the engines, seeing the racing and catching up with friends in the pits. Spectators play an important role in creating that atmosphere. The energy they bring helps make events memorable, supports our clubs, encourages sponsors to stay involved and gives riders something extra to race for.
So here’s my challenge to Bike Rider readers this season: pick an event. Then pick another.
Bring your family, bring a friend, bring someone who has never been to a motorcycle race before. Wander through the pits. Talk to the competitors. See how much effort goes into every lap. Experience the unique camaraderie that exists wherever motorcyclists gather.
“Every person who turns up contributes to keeping our sport healthy and vibrant.”
Mac McLeod
The future of motorcycle sport in New Zealand depends on strong clubs, dedicated volunteers, committed riders, supportive sponsors and engaged spectators. Every person who turns up contributes to keeping our sport healthy and vibrant, and I’d like to thank everyone who helps make it happen.
I look forward to seeing many of you around the country in the months ahead.
Here’s to safe racing, great competition and another fantastic championship season for motorcycling in New Zealand.
See you at the track.
Find your next race meeting: Visit the Motorcycling New Zealand events calendar to see what’s coming up.
