- Legends of NZ motorcycling reunite at Ruapuna for the 2026 NZ Superbike GP
- Iconic riders, historic GP machinery, Britten and world championship bikes on display
- Part of the opening round of the 2026 Star Insure NZ Superbike Championship
Ruapuna is set to host a garage full of Legends at round one of the Star Insure NZ Superbike Series and NZ Superbike Grand Prix, and it’s looking like an event any motorcycle fan won’t want to miss.
When it comes to motorcycling legends, Christchurch has them by the garage-full — and they’ll all be on display at Ruapuna this summer.
The Legends Garage will be a major attraction at the opening round of the 2026 Star Insure New Zealand Superbike Championship, held at Ruapuna Park Raceway from January 30–31 and February 1, fittingly alongside the New Zealand Grand Prix meeting.
Between them, legends Stu Avant, Mike Sinclair, Paul McLachlan, Owen Galbraith and Mike Pero have won a staggering number of New Zealand Grand Prix titles. There’s some debate about exactly who holds the outright record — a question that may well be settled by the end of the weekend.
Together, the group represents a golden era of Canterbury and New Zealand motorcycling.
Galbraith set the benchmark in the early 1970s, first aboard an Ariel Arrow and later on fearsome Kawasaki 750 production racers. For a time, he was simply the man to beat.
Teenagers Avant, Sinclair and McLachlan soon rose to the challenge, although all concede Galbraith was the master of production bike racing. Perhaps that’s what pushed them toward GP machinery, campaigning iconic two-strokes such as Suzuki T250s, TR500s and RG500s, alongside Yamaha TZ250s, TZ350s and the mighty TZ750.
Another special guest, John Boote, holds a unique place in world motorcycling history — he was the rider who gave Yamaha’s four-cylinder TZ750 its world debut, before later doing the same for Suzuki’s RG500.
McLachlan’s achievements stand out even among elite company. He claimed three New Zealand Championships in a single year and is also a national champion in three different sports: speed skating, motorcycling and cycling.
International competition soon followed for many of the group. Avant and Sinclair headed to the World 500 Championship in 1976 as rider and mechanic, with Avant famously defeating Giacomo Agostini in an early Grand Prix. Avant later secured factory Suzuki rides, while Sinclair progressed into factory Suzuki and Yamaha teams, becoming one of the most respected race engineers of his era.
Boote and McLachlan took a different path, campaigning their TZ750s in the United States during a golden age of big-bore two-stroke racing, with occasional European outings as well. The era was a far cry from modern professionalism — Boote famously transported his Yamaha to and from the US largely as hand luggage.
Those exploits also inspired a young Christchurch rider to try his luck at a Ruapuna club day. That rider was Mike Pero, who went on to carve out his own extraordinary career, amassing 15 New Zealand Grand Prix titles, including four in a single day.
How that tally stacks up against the rest of the Legends Garage will be part of the story revealed at Ruapuna.
Also on display — and on track during the weekend — will be a Britten, the iconic machine created by the late Christchurch innovator John Britten. The bike will form part of the promotion for the opening of the Britten Museum in central Christchurch in February.
Adding further depth to the collection, renowned restorer Paul Treacy will bring two exceptional Yamaha YZR500s — the Simon Crafar and Garry McCoy Red Bull machines. One will be ridden during the weekend by New Zealand’s most successful international road racer, Aaron Slight.
Completing the Legends Garage lineup is a race-prepared Yamaha R6, being raffled by the Burt Munro Challenge to support young Southland racers take on the world like Moto3 world championship rider Cormac Buchanan is doing.
For fans of New Zealand racing history, Ruapuna’s Legends Garage promises to be something truly special.
For further details and for tickets, head to www.nzsuperbikeseries.co.nz/iconicmotorbikesgp
Legends Garage at Ruapuna – FAQs
What is the Legends Garage at Ruapuna?
The Legends Garage is a special feature at the opening round of the 2026 Star Insure New Zealand Superbike Championship, showcasing legendary New Zealand motorcycle racers, historic GP machinery and iconic race bikes from NZ’s golden era of road racing.
When and where is the Legends Garage taking place?
The Legends Garage will be on display at Ruapuna Park Raceway, Christchurch, during the New Zealand Grand Prix meeting from January 30–31 and February 1, 2026.
Which motorcycle legends will appear at Ruapuna?
Confirmed legends include Stu Avant, Mike Sinclair, Paul McLachlan, Owen Galbraith and Mike Pero, along with special guest John Boote, all of whom played major roles in New Zealand and international motorcycle racing history.
What historic motorcycles will be on display?
The Legends Garage will feature classic GP and production race bikes including Yamaha TZ250/350/750s, Suzuki RG500s, world championship Yamaha YZR500s, a Britten, and other significant race machines from the 1970s and beyond.
Will the Britten motorcycle be at Ruapuna?
Yes. A Britten motorcycle will be on display and on track during the weekend. The appearance forms part of the promotion for the opening of the Britten Museum in central Christchurch in February 2026.
Who is Mike Pero and how many NZ GP titles has he won?
Mike Pero is one of New Zealand’s most successful road racers, having won 15 New Zealand Grand Prix titles, including an extraordinary four victories in a single day.
Who is John Boote and why is he significant?
John Boote holds a unique place in world motorcycling history as the rider who gave the Yamaha TZ750 its world debut and later did the same with the Suzuki RG500.
Will any current or modern riders be involved?
Yes. One of the featured Yamaha YZR500s will be ridden by Aaron Slight, New Zealand’s most successful international road racer.
Is the Legends Garage linked to any fundraising initiatives?
Yes. A race-prepared Yamaha R6 will be featured as part of a raffle by the Burt Munro Challenge to support young Southland racers take on the world like Moto3 world championship rider Cormac Buchanan is doing. If you’d like to buy a ticket to support Cormac, you can do so HERE.
Completing the Legends Garage lineup is a race-prepared Yamaha R6, being raffled by the Burt Munro Challenge to support young Southland racers take on the world like Moto3 world championship rider Cormac Buchanan is doing.
Is the Legends Garage included with NZ Superbike event entry?
Yes. The Legends Garage is part of the NZ Superbike Championship race weekend at Ruapuna and accessible to event attendees.
