Latest news with #MitchRees
RNZ News
25-06-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
Whakatane rider Mitch Rees on his experience at Isle of Man TT
Whakatane motorcyclist Mitch Rees. Photo: Supplied / Facebook Mitch Rees says his Isle of Man TT experience was "like nothing else", but it could have been so much better for the Whakatane rider. This month Rees joined a select group of New Zealanders to have raced the iconic road course on the island in the Irish Sea. Unfortunately his first experience of the Isle of Man was hampered by the weather. Much of the two weeks was wet while strong winds forced the cancellation of the Senior Race for only the fifth time in its 114-year history. "So my first speed controlled newcomers lap was not the greatest way to begin your Isle of Man experience with rain and a wet track," Rees told RNZ. Infact most of his practice, qualifying and race session were hit by the weather with the majority either cancelled or reduced in distance. In the end Rees ran probably half the laps he would have expected to, however it was still a great experience for him. "It was awesome. It's hard to explain, it's an experience that is absolutely mind-blowing. "Everything that you think you know about riding, it is so much different. "It is very physical, you're changing direction on the motorbike at fifth and sixth gear at over 200kmh. "Absolutely thrilling but stuff that you just clench your teeth and hope you make it out the other side." New Zealand rider Bruce Anstey during the 2015 Isle of Man TT Races. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Rees said that while riding the 60km course wasn't as terrifying as it appeared, it's when you're sitting in the pits waiting that you freak out a bit. He had since watched some video of his riding and admitted he couldn't quite believe that it was actually doing it. Despite just getting three days on dry roads Rees said "it's like nothing else". Rees finished 19th and 23rd in two of the Superstock races and was named the 2025 Isle of Man TT fastest newcomer. His third race was cancelled because of the weather. "A lot of people came up to me and told me how well I'd done but I was playing it down a bit because I was a little disappointed. "I know I'm better than where I sat at the end of it just because I know my capabilities and because everything was stacked against us." Rees stayed in Britain after the event to try and finalise arrangements for a return in 2026. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
22-06-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
More To Come From Mitch Rees
Mitch Rees says his overseas racing endeavours have only just begun. While both the Isle of Man TT and Northwest 200 again feature in his broad ambitions for 2026, the reigning New Zealand Superbike Champion says he is keen to step into endurance racing. The Whakatane Honda dealer is about to return home from the United Kingdom after competing in the world's two major road course events, plus two rounds of the British Superbike Championship. 'It'll be good to see the shop crew again and relax a little. It's been a big 12 months.' He is proud to be fastest newcomer at this year's NW200 and TT – and the fifth fastest TT newcomer of all time. Rees was aboard a Honda CBR1000 stocker run by the famed Yorkshire team Milenco by Padgetts of Batley. 'With the lack of laps due to the weather, it was more about riding and learning the circuit rather than making massive set-up changes,' Rees says. 'You're never going to have a perfect bike around the TT course. 'It has a bit of everything, but towards the end of the event we were making more and more progress. 'Mega thanks to the team, especially Clive Padgett for taking me on. His experience with the event was crucial. 'I can't be disappointed at being fastest newcomer at the Northwest and TT'. Patchy weather during TT fortnight added to Rees' setup challenge. 'We got maybe just three completely dry laps during the whole of the TT.' But nothing has put Rees off making a return to Europe and says opportunities have been presented. 'Doors have opened and there are options. I'm talking to people. 'I've already been offered a supertwin for next year.' He is also keen to explore world endurance racing possibilities. 'It's on the radar. 'It would be cool to do the Suzuka Eight-Hour.' Closer to home, Rees is considering competing in selected rounds of the Australian Superbike series. As for New Zealand, 'I haven't planned anything yet'. He is keen to do the Suzuki Series but 'not sure about the nationals'. However, he says 'nothing is off the table'. Rees points out that his northern hemisphere plans will dictate his New Zealand summer programme and emphasises the importance of preparation. 'Because of the New Zealand championship, I missed those pre-season Northern hemisphere test days this year. 'I now know how important they are.' There is also the need to complete time-consuming paperwork and Rees revealed this year's drawn-out process to complete all the necessary requirements. 'It took over four months to get all the clearances. 'The Isle of Man and the mountain course licence was pretty simple, but racing in Northern Ireland was a whole different matter. 'I only got approval to race the Northwest a week before the event.' Rees jokes he now has all the experience to set himself up as an international road race licence and insurance consultant. He also offers an interesting – and honest – insight into the realities of going racing offshore. 'You have to be winning in your own backyard before going overseas. 'You have to have that experience, otherwise it'll be even harder.' Money, of course, is the vital ingredient in any race venture, and Rees says be prepared to spend. 'I was fortunate with the position I was in, being able to get the opportunity to become part of an existing team.' To set up a NW200/TT venture from New Zealand is a $200,000 exercise, Rees estimates. 'Travel, approvals, buying the bike, setting it up, transport, accommodation ... it all adds up.' Once home, Rees' first track outing will be on July 5 – on a Kayo at the Edgecumbe Domain kart circuit – in memory of his late brother Damon and mateShane Richardson. 'It's a 120-lap memorial ride for Damo and Shane; 92 laps for Damo and 28 forShane. 'It's open to anyone, either as an individual or as part of a team.' There will be more details on social media closer to the date. Rees admits the loss of Richardson at Oulton Park in May cast a dark shadow andeven made him consider his own racing. He had enjoyed catching up with Shane at Oulton where they shared their news, thoughts and plans. 'His death was devastating. He was a mate. We'd spent time together that weekend. 'How do you attack your own racing after that? 'I had doubts but then Damo and Shane would have wanted the best for me.' Rees says the helmet design he later wore was a tribute to both of them, thanks to Vince from Ultimate Grafica.
RNZ News
25-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Mitch Rees on Isle of Man TT: 'I knew I wanted to race there'
New Zealand rider Bruce Anstey during the 2015 Isle of Man TT Races. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Most sports people have an ultimate target they'd like to achieve during their careers and for many motorbike racers that target is the Isle of Man TT. This year Whakatāne rider Mitch Rees gets that opportunity. The 32-year-old will join an elite group of New Zealanders to have ridden the iconic event on the island in the Irish Sea. There are also a handful of New Zealanders to have won there including four times world champion Hugh Anderson. Graeme Crosby, Bruce Anstey, Paul Williams, Rod Coleman, Dennis Ireland and Brett Richmond are the other Kiwis to have tasted success. Anstey, with 12 TT tiles, is considered one of the greats of the event. Unfortunately the 60km course has also claimed more than 150 lives, including nine New Zealanders. "I like to ride motorcycles and it was just one of those things... if you could do it, you'd do it," Rees told RNZ. Rees is a three-time New Zealand Superbike champion and has recently been competing in the British Superstock Championship. "It's probably something I've always wanted to do," Rees said. "I went there and watched it last year and knew I wanted to race there." The 60km Isle of Man TT course is a street and public rural road circuit that includes the Snaefell mountain road and has a highest point of 422 metres above sea level. While he hasn't raced there, Rees has driven it a number of times as well as using a simulator. He said the TT road race community is very helpful and he had spent time with the likes of last year's Superstock winner Davey Todd who pointed out many of the intricacies of the course. Rees already has most of the 60km-long course memorised. "You have to, I really put some effort into learning it when I returned home from watching it last year. "I've been watching onboard video from GoPros, while there is a game the Isle of Man has developed that can be downloaded. "It does give you a really good feel for how the course looks even down to the shade of the trees." There is the inherent danger associated with the event and the sport. Rees raced at the Superbike meeting in England earlier this month when fellow New Zealander Shane Richardson was killed. He is one of just two riders who are newcomers to the Isle of Man this month. Riders are basically vetted before their entry is accepted and they then need to finish within a percentage of the fastest times to qualify for a race. Whakatane motorcyclist Mitch Rees. Photo: Supplied / Facebook Rees, like all other motorbike racers, know the risk. "It is the most dangerous event in the world effectively. "You have to be very calculated in what you're doing because you're going at such a high speed. "People say you must turn your brain off and just go flat out, but it's the complete opposite because you're calculating everything in such a fast time. "If you took away the danger, everyone would do it." Rees will be riding a Honda CB1000RR-R for the highly successful British Padgett team. The same team that 12-time winner Bruce Anstey use to race for. He spoke with Antsey in the lead up to the two week event. "He (and everyone else) said go there and enjoy yourself, it is going to be one of the coolest things you'll ever do so you need to make sure you enjoy it." Rees will compete in the Superstock 1000 and Superbike classes. Isle of Man TT facts:
RNZ News
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- RNZ News
Shane Richardson 'part of the reason I started racing'
Shane Richardson (Wellington) racing in the Formula 2 class at the 2017 Battle of the streets in Paeroa. Photo: PHOTOSPORT It's been an emotional 24 hours for Whakatāne rider Mitch Rees following the death of Shane Richardson at a Superbike meeting in England on Tuesday. Richardson, from Wellington, who was 29, died following an 11-bike pileup during a Supersport race at Oulton Park which also claimed the life of English rider Owen Jenner. Rees raced at the same meeting in Cheshire. "We all know the risk going into it which definitely does not make it easier, but unfortunately it is what it is," Rees told RNZ. "You never expect it to happen and it rarely does. "It's always going to affect you, anyone that was in the paddock, anyone that knew Shane." Rees is competing in Britain and Ireland for the first time. Part of his motivation to compete there was in memory of his brother Damon, who died two years ago. Damon Rees left New Zealand a year after Richardson in 2020 and competed for two seasons in the British National Superstock 1000 Championship. He died from a heart condition in 2023. Richardson and Damon Rees battled for the 2017 New Zealand Supersport Championship and later Richardson helped Damon get to the British championship. "I know what the Richardson family is going through.... it's a tough one." Rees said so many New Zealanders in motorcycling had been touched by Richardson in some way and will be saddened by his passing. "He was part of the reason I actually started racing. "He's helped a lot of us Kiwis get there and just an all-round fantastic guy. Richardson helped many top level riders including Cormac Buchanan who is now competing in MotoGP3. "Just a super nice guy who would do anything for anyone, just so helpful. "His riding speaks for itself, if you're a New Zealand motorcyclist you know about Shane Richardson and what he's done.
