Street racer heads into battle

To describe Patric Nussbaum as one unhappy camper risks becoming one of the understatements of the year so far.

The German-born motorcycle racer feels he has been treated harshly and unfairly after being banned from racing in the 2014 Battle of the Streets in Paeroa this coming weekend.

The Kerikeri motorcycle technician was stood down after falling foul of two powerful officials who hold sway over who can and can't race in the event.

Aware that voicing his dismay risked upsetting the powers that be which, in turn, could end up costing him his racing licence, Nussbaum feels he has little left to lose.

Racing is in his blood, he lives for life in the fast lane and his performances at various events he's participated in over recent years - including the Motorcycle NZ tri series and the Battle of the Streets - have made him a crowd favourite. He's gained a reputation as a fearless, entertaining skilful rider and often rips into wheelstands and burnouts at the drop of a pin to entertain the spectators.

As well, for every one of the past five years he's ridden in the Battle of the Streets, Nussbaum has been accompanied by a large and growing entourage of his friends, family and supporters from the Far North and further afield.

Team Black Pearl, as they are known, is a group of bike fiends who are welcomed at the event like old friends by like-minded counterparts from around the country. They arrive, set up a large marquee, crack open the liquid refreshments, crank up the barbecue and the hard rock and sit down to watch Black Pearl conquer the opposition and the hearts of the spectators.

But officials have taken umbrage at Nussbaum's showboating. A large image in the Northland Age from last year's Battle of the Streets showed the dreadlocked biker in full cry, doing a huge burnout on Black Pearl, his nitrous oxide-powered Kawasaki ZX10, while looking back over his shoulder at the fans with one arm raised in defiance. Of course, the spectators are clearly delighted, all smiles with many recording the moment on cell-phones and cameras.

But following a flashy wheelstand after a race at the same event - with one commentator saying he had heard Nussbaum only had one hand on the handlebar and was waving to the crowd with the other - proved the last straw.

Infuriated officials, who have been trying to rein Nussbaum in for some time docked him vital points which would have secured him the pre 89 class title and also the prize money up for grabs.

Nussbaum was naturally disappointed but accepting of the decision at the time, and noted, "Wheelstands and shows always belong in a race, people expect you to do so," [a remark that featured at the forefront of Age sportsbuster Francis 'The Offsider' Malley's favourite quotes of 2013].

The two officials have now refused to allow Nussbaum to race this year's event, effectively denying him another opportunity to steal the limelight. Motorcycle New Zealand (MNZ) refused to comment on the situation, noting it was run by the Auckland Motorcycle Club. Neither they nor the Paeroa event's organisers were prepared to name the officials involved.

But, "If he goes, we won't," was apparently the pair's response. And without MNZ-endorsed officials, a street race cannot go ahead.

To say Nussbaum and his large band of loyal supporters have been completely flummoxed by the decision would be putting it politely.

His partner Sabine claims MNZ requested a meeting with Nussbaum last year in April to discuss the situation but as he had flown back to Germany to visit family, this was postponed until his return. Arriving back in the country, Nussbaum had the understanding the organisation would arrange another meeting but the next time he heard anything, he was advised the officials in question had declined to meet him and had also decided to suspend him from the Paeroa race for the foreseeable future.

Nussbaum believes the decision was at least, inconsistent in an event which by its very nature would seem to promote a life in the fast lane/ devil may care attitude.

The Far North rider has plenty of support for his antics, including both the street race organisers and their event's governing body, Auckland Motor Cycle Club (AMCC), which in turn operates under the auspices of MNZ. AMCC president Graham Bastow was clearly disappointed with the outcome.

"He's an absolute crowd-pleaser, crazy looking machine, big Kawasaki, big mop of hair, huge grin on his face. He's a flamboyant character. He loves to celebrate his success with a wheelie or two ... But it's not allowed in the rules. [And it's] hard to get permission to race for those that flout the rules."

Bastow understood Nussbaum had fallen foul of the same officials at earlier events and had done himself no favours by refusing to kow-tow to requests to tone down his antics then.

"Several times, he's been asked not to do it. They are the guys that control the event. The clerk of the course and steward of the meeting, what they say goes. Without them there is no race."

Admitting the ever increasing rules and regulations governing street racing were starting to become a challenge to comply with, Bastow believed preventing riders like Nussbaum from racing risked being counter-productive but he understood the reasons behind the decision. He said he wished the Far North bike rider could have stayed within the rules governing the meeting.

"It will be an absolute loss to the event. We have these characters who

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