Ready, set, go: Cemetery Circuit set to wow thousands

Record lap times and entries set for finale of the Suzuki International Series in Whanganui. Photo/ NZME

Thousands will flock to Whanganui’s streets for the annual Cemetry Circuit street races on Boxing Day and a record number of entries are set to light up the track.

Event organiser Allan “Flea” Willacy said the series, which had its first two rounds in Taupō and Feilding, had lived up to expectations so far and he couldn’t wait for the final showdown.

“The series has been absolutely fantastic, the racing has been incredible,” Willacy said.

“Every track - Taupō and Manfield - all of them have gone under the laps record, they are flying,” he said.

Willacy expects a big turnout in Whanganui.

The super-stand has sold out along with the Suzuki VIP stand and about 7000 spectators are expected.

It is also a record number of competitor entries.

“We’re back to before Covid numbers, we’re incredibly rapt with the number of entries,” Willacy said.

Practice for the riders will begin at 7.30am and the event is looking to wrap up about 5pm.

Whanganui’s Richie Dibben is in a strong position to take out the series after scoring a perfect 1-1-1 in Manfield and having the fastest qualifying time in the Supermoto class.

Willacy is particularly excited for Whanganui spectators to witness the two internationals on display from the United Kingdom – Peter Hickman and Davey Todd.

“It’s unbelievable with these two internationals here, you have to go to the Isle of Man or Europe to see these class of people, but we’ve brought them to Whanganui for people to see.

“If you want to see some fantastic racing and world-class racing, they are here and it’s unbelievable.”

Willacy said there would be individual trophies for winners of the Whanganui Cemetery Circuit because of its legacy, along with the announcements of the overall winners for the series.

Tickets are still available online through the Cemetery Circuit website.

Willacy encouraged Whanganui to get out on Boxing Day and experience the spectacle.

“It’s eye-watering, the speeds they do around the street circuit.”