The Paeroa Battle of the Streets race meeting is in it's 21st year and runs like a well-oiled machine, even with State Highway 2 closed for the majority of the day. Held annually on the third whole weekend of February, riders from around the country and overseas converge on this otherwise quiet town to compete in the race.
With all the precision and planning of a military operation, the circuit is set-up under the cover of darkness with SH2 finally being shut around 6 am. Diversions are put in place to accommodate the traffic passing through whilst plenty of free parking and camping available for spectators.
The 1.52km circuit starts in the main street (Belmont Road and Normanby Road also State Highway 2), right into Arney Street, over the hill into Princes Street, into the "S" bends linking Wharf Street to Marshall Street, along the back straight to the hairpin opposite the Railway Reserve and back into the main street. The circuit has become known as the "Hacksaw" owing to its shape. It has provided a testing circuit on which riders reach speeds of 280 kph and sidecars close to 220 kph along the main straight.
This is an event for which Paeroa has become famous and involves most of the community one way or another. It is an event one must experience at least once in a lifetime.
On the “Battle of Streets Race Weekend” Paeroa West Rugby Club provide the following services for those attending the bike races:
Overnight Camping: Fri, Sat & Sun nights, $10.00 per night – price includes access to bar, shower, toilet etc… Bike Day Security: We charge $5/bag to hold a persons belongings and provide a secure area to park bikes, cars etc…whilst attending races Bar Services: I believe we have the prize giving this year so will have a full bar available on the race day and the evening of the Friday & Saturday night
contact: Paeroa West Rugby & Sports Club 07 862 6141
Other security facilities are available on the day in the main street.
