Press Release
For immediate release
4 March 2011
Replica Konig racer ready for 2011 HBBB
Image: Rod Tingate on the Konig Racer
Click on image to download high res
Motorcycling Australia (MA) is pleased to announce a replica Konig racer will be in action at the 2011 Honda Broadford Bike Bonanza (HBBB) – marking the first time the bike has been seen on-track in Australia.
The bike that almost unseated the mighty MV Agusta Team in the 1973 World 500cc Championship was created at the tiny Konig factory in West Berlin, using the company's flat-four two stroke outboard motor as the basis.
New Zealander Kim Newcombe worked for Dieter Konig, occasionally racing the Konig Hydroplanes and developed the 500cc Konig into a Grand Prix winner.
During the 1973 GP season, Newcombe won the Yugoslavian GP and led the Championship chase at the halfway stage, despite the attentions of the works MV Augusta's ridden by Giacomo Agostini and Phil Read.
Sadly at a non-Championship meeting in England in August, Newcombe crashed and suffered fatal injuries; posthumously, he finished second in the Championship Standings.
Newcombe's friend and racing partner Rod Tingate was also involved in the development of the racer, and prior to the Konig operation closing, gave Tingate one of the 500cc GP engines.
Tingate took this back to Melbourne and faithfully created an exact replica of the Newcombe machine, correct down to the original decals on the fairing.
The result is a stunning looking motorcycle - testament to Tingate's well-renowned work.
The Konig has been demonstrated in New Zealand, but the 2011 HBBB will mark the first time it has been seen on the track in Australia.
Both Tingate and British journalist Alan Cathcart will ride the bike over the weekend.
As well as its brilliant yellow livery, the Konig also has a very unique sound emanating from its four expansion chambers and will be a distinctive feature on a weekend bursting with rare and exciting bikes.
Stay tuned to the MA website where all the latest news and information about the 2011 HBBB will be posted - including details of headline acts - and where you can re-live all the action from the 2010 HBBB through our news and photo galleries.
All the HBBB action can be found by visiting www.ma.org.au/hbbb.
All enquiries regarding the event should be directed to Peter Drakeford at MA on 03 9684 0515 or by email at pd@ma.org.au.
-Ends-
For further information please contact:
Erin Lagoudakis
Communications Officer
Motorcycling Australia
Tel: (03) 9684 0511
___________________________________
Location: 147 Montague Street, South Melbourne, Victoria
Postal: PO Box 134, South Melbourne, Victoria, 3205
Mob: 0439 396 397 Fax: (03) 9684 0555
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