Bid to attract top named riders

A year down the track from its 60th anniversary the Wanganui Cemetery Circuit Motorcycle Boxing Day meeting is shaping up as a real international challenge with a number of overseas riders keen on competing this year.

Cemetery Circuit event promoter Allan "Flea" Willacy said he had had confirmation that German superbike champion Thomas Kreutz was again planning to come with three of his countrymen, including one who rides for a works 24-hour team in Europe.

"Thomas won last year's German superbike championship and is currently leading again this season," Willacy said yesterday.

The Boxing Day street meeting acts as the final leg of the Suzuki Series with the earlier legs run at Hampton Downs in Waikato and Manfield.

"Kreutz competed in the tri series here last season and finished third overall, but the form he is in will make him a top show again this year. The series has now had a name change and will be simply known as the Suzuki Series rather than include the Tri because the aim is to potentially add a fourth leg, although that has yet to be finalised," Willacy said.

Meanwhile, riders yet to be named from Ireland, England and Australia are also likely contenders this year.

"We've heard Craig Trinder from Australia is very keen to come and he may turn up with his brother, but the other international riders have yet to be named," Willacy said.

High profile and often controversial Englishman Guy Martin is also being targeted after a chance meeting with the TV motorcycling commentator by Wanganui fans Dean Kensington and his wife, Dawn Potaka earlier this year.

The couple met Martin during a visit to this year's Isle of Man TT and gave the colourful character a Cemetery Circuit 60th anniversary T-shirt. He gladly accepted and suggested he would come to New Zealand's most famous street race if they could secure him a ride on Boxing Day.

"We are well aware of that meeting and have been trying really hard to get hold of Guy Martin, although it has proved difficult getting passed his management team so far. We are still very hopeful," Willacy said.

Meanwhile, the dates have been set for the series with the first round at Hampton Downs set for September 7, the second round at Manfield on December 15 and the Cemetery Circuit, of course, on December 26.