'Cannonball' racing may change venue

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The "Cannonball" Coleman Beach Racing Classic is on hold for now and may end up moving to South Beach in the future.

Reviving traditional motorcycle racing down the beach had been scheduled for yesterday afternoon and evening when the tides were right.

Plans included racing with multiple classes over varying distances of 100m to 1km, with the six-lap race feature race the Cannonball Coleman Classic " named after Percy Coleman, the father of legendary Grand Prix racer Rod Coleman " being similar to the beach racing of the 1920s and 30s.

Co-organiser Rod Trott said the message went out on social media this month to all those who had entered that the steering committee had to postpone to another time, due to issues regarding the use of the beach.

Yesterday at Castlecliff, the sand and surf had a fair share of surfers, fisherman and swimmers out enjoying their Christmas weekend.

"We need to engage more with the community and the [Whanganui District] council, and with other parties," said Trott.

"Further discussions with council and other parties " the difficulties started to emerge."

"It may be the decision is to use South Beach in the future."

Trott said the steering group had consulted with the Castlecliff community for their event, which suggests there may have been resistance to having the beach used for motorsport.

Rod Coleman had talked to the steering group when the idea of racing was first mooted and South Beach had also been used for motorcycle racing.