Motorsport: Randy Mamola's NZ visit 'feels like coming full circle'

Randy Mamola has fond memories of racing in New Zealand early in his career. Photo / Getty Images

Motorcycling legend Randy Mamola sees the irony in his career coming full circle as he serves as the star attraction at this weekend's MotoFest event at Hampton Downs.

The 58-year-old American is considered one of the greatest riders never to win a world championship — he finished runner-up on four occasions — but got his 13-year career off to a start by riding in New Zealand.

"It was 41 years ago," he told the Herald. "Back in the mid-70s there was a series of six races here in New Zealand. I got invited to it and I came down a couple of times — 1975-76 and 1976-66 — and it is quite ironic that it was the launching pad for a lot of us into the world championship."

Aside from a successful time on track, Mamola met some notable people while he was in New Zealand.

"Mike Sinclair is a renowned engineer that is a Kiwi and Jeremy Burgess is an engineer from Australia.

"Mike became my top engineer in 1980 when I was with the factory Suzuki team and Jeremy became my mechanic. Since then Mike has five or six world titles with Wayne Rainey and some other guys.

"Jeremy Burgess is Mick Doohan's five-time world champion mechanic and Valentino Rossi for five times as well," Mamola said.

"What is really cool about me coming back in 2018 is that these guys are here. Coming back to New Zealand feels like coming the full circle."

Mamola was known as the great entertainer of his time. He displayed an aggressive style on the bike and was famous for interacting with fans.

He insists that was drummed into him in his formative days in NZ.

"I was taught well by people like Graeme Crosby and Jeremy Burgess and this array of people that were part of the New Zealand Championship," he said.

"Graeme Crosby really stands out with the way he rode and talked to people off the track. It really prepared me well for the world championship."

Mamola headlines a stunning list of stars at the North Waikato track this weekend. It's the penultimate round of the NZ Superbike Championship and greats like Aaron Slight, Crosby, Hugh Anderson and Andrew Stroud will be in attendance.

X Games star Levi Sherwood will be performing as well.