Motorsport is traditionally father and son territory. Super motard rider Katie Henry is, however, bucking that trend and will join her dad, Allan, racing in the Burt Munro Challenge this weekend.
Out of this Mosgiel father and daughter duo, Katie rode her Kawasaki KXF450, which is essentially ‘‘a dirt bike set up to go on the road’’ first, competing in the New Zealand Hill Climb Championships in Bluff on Thursday. Allan has entered his 750cc Ducati Sport in today’s Teretonga Sprint Races and Katie will join him for tomorrow’s Street Races on Bill Richardson Dr in Invercargill.
At 22-years-old, she is no newcomer to motorbikes and has been riding them off-and-on since she was 5. She recalls watching her dad and brother racing and thinking ‘‘that’s going to be me’’, she said.
Along with doing some motocross racing, Katie began riding her ‘‘quick and nippy’’super motard recently — competing in the Burt Munro hill climb last year — and described it as ‘‘the ultimate thrill’’.
‘‘Oh my gosh, it’s amazing. The best thing in the world. Especially the street racing. It’s intense.’’
The Henrys will be part of what is now recognised as the largest motorcycle rally in the southern hemisphere, attracting about 5000 visitors and participants from outside the Southland region each year.
Historically held in November, the decision was made last year to move the challenge to February in search for more settled weather. Now in its 13th year, it has evolved to include six different racing disciplines.
Watch it live
For the first time, the 2019 Burt Munro Challenge will offer live streaming as part of the event coverage. Footage will be uploaded to YouTube post-event as well.
Link to live streaming: https://ctaslive.nz/ CtasLiveVideoBurtMunro.aspx
