BikeSport: Flying Kiwi up for classic challenge

Nicki Smith (Yamaha XJ550), is ready to race the Aussies at Hampton Downs. Pictures / Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com

Motorbikes are not just for boys, finds Andy McGechan

They say you can't judge a book by its cover and the same can certainly be said of Nicki Smith.

The 35-year-old Taranaki woman's quiet manner belies the firebreathing spirit within her petite frame.

In her chosen sport of high-octane motorcycle racing she's been giving as good as she gets and for two consecutive seasons she's propelled herself and her Kawasaki Ninja 650R to be among the top 10 in the New Zealand Superbike Championships competition, racing in the Pro Twins class.

While the New Plymouth woman is used to battling against the men, and often beating them, Smith will be racing for New Zealand in an international challenge this weekend against elite female racers from Australia.

Smith has been loaned a race-ready 1982-model Yamaha XJ550 for her to enter the Barry Sheene Motorcycle Classic at Hampton Downs over Labour Weekend.

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Respected avid classic bike racer Bill James, from Wanganui, has loaned the bike to Smith for her to participate in the FIM Women in Motorcycling event at the Hampton Downs meeting, a weekend of classic bike racing that will also feature top British rider Maria Costello.

The Barry Sheene Motorcycle Classic event crosses the Tasman each year, Australia and New Zealand alternating as hosts for the popular festival.

It will be the first time Smith has taken part.

"The format pits the Kiwi riders against the Aussies in a one-on-one showdown," Smith explained.

New Plymouth's Nicki Smith, in action on her Kawasaki Ninja 650R earlier this year.

"The bikes don't really matter too much and I will be matched up against an Australian rider who has a similar lap time to me.

"So, while I'm on a 550cc bike, I may come up against someone on a 250cc bike or a 750cc bike.

"I won't know until the weekend.

"It's simply my aim to beat whatever Aussie rider lines up against me and to score points for my country.

"I have never raced this classic Yamaha but I'm really looking forward to getting out there on the racetrack.

"The Women in Motorcycling event is really to show that motorcycle racing is not just for the boys and it's not a scary sport."

Supported by Kiwibike Motorcycle Insurance and BikesportNZ.com, Smith has competed with success against the men since she started racing about seven years ago.

"I've always been up against the boys and I wouldn't have it any other way.

"I enjoy the challenge."

Competing in the 650 Pro Twin class, she finished ninth overall in the New Zealand Superbike Championships last season, despite crashing twice, and she finished with a national ranking of No 6 in the class the previous year, her first full national series campaign.

"Consistency is the key and that's what I'm hoping will be in my favour at Labour Weekend too," admits Smith.

"I have to use standard road tyres on the Yamaha XJ550 and that means being smooth and not too aggressive, especially if it rains."

Smith will also ride a 1976 Italian Moto Morini 500 in a separate race.

After the Barry Sheene event, Smith will contest the big annual Suzuki Series, a three-round series that features racing at Hampton Downs (on December 7), Manfeild (December 14) and the public streets of Wanganui (on Boxing Day).

Following that is the four-round 2015 New Zealand Superbike Championships - Ruapuna (Christchurch) on January 9-11; Levels (near Timaru) on January 17-18; Hampton Downs on March 7-8 and, finally, Taupo on March 14-15.