Battle of the Streets cancellation may affect anniversary race

Cancelling Paeroa’s Battle of the Streets this year may affect funding for the 25th anniversary event in 2016.

The event was cancelled due to weather as “rider safety must come first,” according to the Paeroa Trust website.

“The main impact will be on the organizing committee and having the funds to mount an even greater 25^th,” Coe, a local motorcyclist involved in the event since it began in 1991, said.

The loss of profit this year means Paeroa Promotions will have an issue funding to set up for next year.

“I’m guessing everyone will just move on, dig in, and, as usual, make it even better next year,” Coe said.

The cancellation also impacted on the event’s fans, some coming from across the Tasman.

“There is no explaining the characters who appear out of the woodwork. It is worth going once just to see the oddballs in the crowd,” Coe said.

Coe says he keeps coming back to the race because of the buzz.

“It’s 230km/hour through the main street of Paeroa… It is our sport, most of us don’t have the nuts to race but we love to watch and support those who do. We are petrol heads and speed junkies and that’s about where it sits.”