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Road racing is New Zealand's premier two-wheeled tarmac discipline — full-face leathers, close racing, and speeds that make circuit car racing look sedate.
NZSBK is the national road race championship, run by Motorcycling New Zealand's Road Race Commission across a handful of rounds at the country's biggest circuits. The confirmed 2027 season runs Levels Raceway (Timaru) in late January, Euromarque Motorsport Park (Ruapuna) the following weekend, then Hampton Downs in early March — a South Island-heavy calendar that puts Christchurch and Timaru close to the action. Classes span full-size Superbikes and Supersport machines down through Pro Twin, SS300 and Mini Supersport grids, so there's racing at every capacity and experience level on the same weekend.
Hampton Downs' Motofest weekend is one of the highlights of the road racing calendar, pairing an NZSBK round with a strong support-class programme and a big paddock of classic and two-stroke machinery. Below the championship, MNZ-affiliated clubs run their own road race days at circuits nationwide — cheaper to attend, usually free or low-cost for spectators, and a good way to see the sport up close before committing to a championship-weekend outing.
You don't need a race licence or your own bike to get a first taste of motorcycle road racing.
Most MNZ-affiliated road race clubs sell a One Event Licence (OEL) on the day — a genuine way to try a club day without committing to a season. Use one twice and decide to go further, and MNZ knocks $30 off your first full licence application.
New Zealand's long-running grassroots entry class puts every rider on identical, affordable machines — Hyosung 250s or Kawasaki Ninja 400s — so racing comes down to skill rather than budget. Entry-ready bikes turn up secondhand from around $3,000, registration is a one-off $290 (free under 19), and the Cup runs as an NZSBK support class at major rounds, with an experienced mentor team pairing up with first- and second-season racers. It's produced genuine international careers from a standing start.
MNZ's Moto Academy publishes free guides covering everything from bike prep and track-day etiquette to flags, racing lines, braking and race-craft — worth working through before your first session, licensed or not.
Non-competitive road racing starts from age 7, with competitive racing from 13. Plenty of Kiwis start racing bikes for the first time well into their 30s and 40s — there's no upper age limit.
The path from spectator to grid is short, and it starts at your local club rather than at MNZ head office.
Club membership comes first — no competition licence is issued without it. Find your nearest club, or one specialising in road racing, through MNZ's club directory. If your local club doesn't run road racing, they'll point you to one that does.
Apply through the MNZ App or the paper Licence Application Form. Most newcomers start on a Club Licence, which covers any MNZ-permitted event except championship or street race rounds — those require a Championship Licence. A One Event Licence lets you try a single meeting first without buying either.
An open-book test on the Manual of Motorcycle Sport — rules, flags, and rider responsibility. You can get up to two questions wrong and still pass; MNZ's "Getting Started in Motorcycle Sport" booklet is the standard study reference.
Bring your licence and logbook to every session — practice or race. You'll also need to show your club membership is current; most riders keep the card inside the logbook cover. The Steward holds your licence from sign-on until racing finishes for the day.
Once you're ready for NZSBK rounds or street races, you'll need to upgrade to a Championship Licence — the same process through the MNZ App, with class eligibility set out in the Manual of Motorcycle Sport's road appendices.
Road race safety gear is strictly regulated under Chapter 8 of MNZ's Manual of Motorcycle Sport, and it's checked before you're allowed on track.
Single-shell construction only — flip-top and two-piece helmets are limited to have-a-go and track introduction days. Must carry an approved standard (ECE 22-06 among them), be under 10 years old, undamaged, and fitted with a proper strap retaining system. Fit is checked at the track; a poor fit can get you turned away regardless of the sticker inside.
A complete leather (or Kevlar) suit — one-piece is recommended, though a two-piece with a concealed connecting zip is accepted. Cordura or road-riding gear isn't permitted at proper road race events; it's only allowed for have-a-go or training riders in the slowest entry class, at the Steward's discretion.
A certified back protector (EN1621-2 Level 1 minimum) and a certified composite chest protector are worn under the suit and compulsory for solo riders. Gloves must be leather, in good condition, with a proper wrist retaining strap. Long hair has to be tied up and kept inside the helmet.
From 1 January 2027, NZ Championship meetings in the top road race classes (Appendix C and F — the Superbike and Supersport ranks) must run airbag leather suits. Worth factoring in if you're building toward championship-level racing rather than club days.
The national governing body for motorcycle sport — licensing, the Manual of Motorcycle Sport, and the NZSBK Road Race Commission.
Phone: 07 828 7852 (Mon–Fri, 8:30am–5pm)
Office: 211 Main Street, Huntly
Postal: PO Box 253, Huntly 3740
Oversees NZSBK rules, classes and the championship calendar. Contact via the Road Race section of mnz.co.nz.
The first and most useful call — for club days, membership, and whether they run road racing themselves. Find yours through MNZ's Find a Club directory.
New Zealand's grassroots one-make entry series, coordinated by Ken Dobson.
Web: ccmscup.co.nz
Most riders start with bike track days, then club racing via a Motorcycling New Zealand club licence. Club rounds run affordable classes for near-standard bikes.
No — bike track days need a road licence, full leathers or approved gear, and a sound bike. Racing requires an MNZ competition licence through a club.
At minimum: approved helmet, leathers (one or two-piece zip-together), gloves and boots. Organisers scrutineer gear and bikes before you ride.
At the major circuits nationwide — the same venues as car racing, on dedicated bike days and race meetings listed above.
Yes — club rounds are usually cheap or free to watch, and championship meetings are ticketed spectator events. Each listing shows gate details.
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