MOTORCYCLING NEW ZEALAND HAS PUT ITS ACCOLADES ONLINE
If winning a national title is the dream of many motorcycle racers, being inducted into Motorcycling New Zealand's Hall of Fame is surely the ultimate accolade.
In a bid to throw a brighter spotlight on the Hall of Fame, Motorcycling New Zealand (MNZ) is launching a new Hall of Fame section on its web site, a space that will feature information about and photographs of existing members — Len Perry, Hugh Anderson, Ronnie Moore, Shayne King, Ivan Mauger, Graeme Crosby, Ginger Molloy and Rod Coleman — and also highlight those likely to be added.
The announcement of inductees into the MNZ Hall of Fame has tended to happen at the big motorcycling awards dinner, last held in May 2014, in association with the New Zealand Motorcycle Trader magazine.
“The MNZ Hall of Fame acknowledges outstanding performances by members of our organisation, so that their achievements in the sport are recognised and not forgotten and so that they can perhaps also inspire future generations,” said MNZ general manager of operations, Vicky Hicks.
“We have taken the Hall of Fame and have expanded on it. We have created categories for the MNZ Hall of Fame. We highlight outstanding ambassadors of New Zealand motorcycle sport or industry; road racing, off-road racing, design and engineering, leadership and motorcycle rights advocacy and contributors in speciality competitions.”
The MNZ Hall of Fame can have inductees twice a year, if the MNZ board sees fit, one at the May AGM, the other in the first week of December.
And this year, MNZ is marking 100 years of existence at Te Papa, in Wellington, on May 20-22.
There is no shortage of worthy Hall of Fame nominees, with Kiwi riders continuing to branch out and compete with great success overseas. For example, Orewa road-racer Avalon Biddle won the FIM European Women's Cup section of the European Junior Cup competition. She gained recognition in New Zealand, too, when she was on the short-list for the Halberg Awards. Hamilton motocross rider Josiah Natzke finished runner-up in the European 125cc motocross championships.
A lot of work goes on behind the scenes in motorcycling, too, with those individuals less likely to receive any public recognition.
“We are calling for nominations to the MNZ Hall of Fame as we know there are many deserving sportspeople not yet among our current list of honourees,” said Hicks.
“To rebuild the MNZ Hall of Fame and to have created a dedicated section for it on our website is very important to MNZ,” she said.
The opportunity to be honoured is extended to team managers, bike tuners, mechanics, event organisers and promoters, designers, manufacturers, distributors, dealers, journalists, photographers, artists and officials.
Visit www.mnz.co.nz for further information.