The annual Burt Munro Challenge (BMC), which attracts thousands of bikers to Invercargill, will no longer include its popular street racing, organisers announced yesterday (25 May).

BMC chairman Bill Moffatt said the decision to cancel the Street Race had been made after careful consideration of the event’s growing cost and complexity which has become increasingly difficult as the commercial area grows and develops.

“We are disappointed to have to cancel the street race, but it was simply no longer sustainable.”

However the iconic event will now include a round of the New Zealand Superbike Championship, which will be held on 10-11 February 2024 at Teretonga Park.

Moffatt said they were thrilled to be hosting the championship.

The 5-day motorcycle event celebrates the life and legacy of Invercargill's Burt Munro, a New Zealander who set world speed records on his Indian motorcycle at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.

“We are committed to providing a world-class event, and confident that the Burt Munro Challenge will continue to be a popular destination for motorcycle enthusiasts from around the world. Nowhere else in the country can riders compete in three New Zealand Championship events in the same week,” said Moffatt.

The next Burt Munro Challenge will be on 7-11 February 2024. Its programme will include the Southland Honda Track Day, Star Insurance Bluff NZ Hill Climb Championship, Indian Motorcycles NZ Championship Beach Races, Super Seller Shelley Speedway, Indian Motorcycles Drag Racing and the E Hayes & Sons Teretonga Sprint Races and NZ Superbike Championship.

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