Photo - Bruce Anstey. He only needs one wheel!!
Three times Isle of Man TT winner Bruce Anstey has confirmed his entry in this years Cemetery Circuit motorcycle race meeting at Wanganui on Boxing Day.
New Zealand-born Anstey, 35, made five podium appearances at this years Isle of Man TT races although winning just the one Tourist Trophy title. His win in the 1000cc Production TT: was his third TT title and his new lap record was a remarkable 6.9 seconds under the previous lap record set in 2002 making him one of the fastest ever riders around the famous island circuit.
While in New Zealand Anstey will ride for the Wellington-based Museum Hotel team. Team Manager Barry New has confirmed Anstey as a starter in the popular two-round “Battle of the Streets” series in which the Cemetery Circuit meeting will be the first round with the second being at Paeroa in February.
He will possibly compete in some rounds of the New Zealand Superbike Championship.
“Bruce is really looking forward to racing again in New Zealand” New said. “He is an outstanding rider and we will be privileged to see him at the top of his form.”
Anstey won two of his three New Zealand road racing titles in the 1998/99 season but in recent years he has been based in the UK carving out a career as a professional racer. As well as his Isle of Man TT wins a lot of his successes have been achieved on the high speed Irish road circuits. In August this year he won three classes at the Ulster Grand Prix meeting, setting a new outright lap record in the Superbike class. The British motorcycle press has dubbed it the fastest lap in world motorcycling.
Cemetery Circuit Event Manager, Mr Ray Whitham, is delighted Anstey will be here on Boxing Day. “In real road racing terms the news that Bruce will be at Wanganui is about as big as it gets. He will be a huge attraction for fans.”
Anstey last rode at Wanganui in 1999 and he will be remembered by many for his courageous rides during the 1994/95 season when suffering from cancer.
1991/92 NZ Shell Rider of the Series 1992/93 1st NZ Formula 2 / NZ Tourist Trophy / NZ Grand Prix 1993/94 1st Formula 2 King of the Streets 1994/95 Suffered cancer 26/12/94 1st Formula 2 – won both legs – Wanganui 1995/96 6th NZ Formula 2 1st NZ Formula 2 TT Pukekohe 1996 Best Newcomer Isle of Man 1997/98 1st NZ Harley Davidson Series 1st 250 Production Battle of the Streets 1998 Isle of Man – Competed in Lightweight and Senior TT’s 1998/99 1st NZ Formula 2 1st 600 Sports Production 1999 Isle of Man – Competed in Lightweight 250 and Senior TT’s 2000 2nd Lightweight 250 TT Isle of Man 2002 1st 250cc TT Isle of Man 2nd Production 600cc TT Isle of Man 3rd Production 1000cc TT Isle of Man 3rd Superbikes Ulster Grand Prix 2003 1st Junior 600cc TT Isle of Man 1st Production 1000cc Ulster GP 2nd Production 1000cc TT Isle of Man 2nd Superbikes Ulster Grand Prix 2004 1st Production 1000cc TT Isle of Man (New Lap Record) 1st Superbikes Ulster GP (New Lap Record) 1st Production 600cc Ulster Grand Prix 1st Supersport 600cc Ulster Grand Prix 2nd Senior TT Isle of Man 2nd Junior TT Isle of Man 2nd Production 600cc TT Isle of Man 3rd Formula 1 TT Isle of Man