IT is the race that stops the city of Cessnock and is unlike any other event in the world.
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The Cessnock CBD was overrun by a swarm of postie bikes on Sunday as the city hosted the seventh Australian Postie Bike Grand Prix.
After a three-year forced hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of people lined the streets around the Cessnock TAFE grounds as the grand prix returned with a roar, with about 150 riders in 68 teams in action.
There were no mailbags to be seen and everyone was on the same route as riders pushed the 110cc postie bikes to the absolute limit in a hard, fast and entertaining race.
The 2019 runners-up, Daniel Wicks and Boyd Hollis (Send It Racing), went one better this year to etch their names on the Damien Wallace Perpetual Trophy with victory in the main race, followed by Isaac Hawes and Caleb Clifton (Big Bang) in second place and Kade Dorrington and Danny Anderson (DK Racing) third.
In the Cessnock Cup (teams 19 to 36 from the heats), Geoffrey Pyne and Luke Smith (Aussie Racing) placed first with Aaron Metcalfe and Aaron Parker (Backyard Motorsports) second and Hayden Bond and Thomas Glover (Dr Mak Engines) in third place.
The Wine Country Cup ladies' race was won by Ainsley Childs, with Laura Saxon runner-up and Kasey Cocking third.
Committee spokesperson Charlie McLennan said while official numbers weren't in yet, it's believed to be the postie bike grand prix's biggest crowd on record.
"It was a tremendous day with spectacular weather putting on a show and it was fantastic to see the crowds flock to watch all the thrills, spills and fanfare of what a grand prix brings," Ms McLennan said.
"The markets coming back was a huge success as was the free kids' amusements and face painting.
"I'd like to give a special mention to all of our volunteers, we are so very appreciative to them.
"We especially thank our major sponsors, Cessnock Mitsubishi, SMW Drilling Services, Elite Industrial Equipment, Maitland Motorcycles, Doublestar.Co, Pedens Hotel, all of our corner sponsors, barrier sponsors and in-kind sponsors, and a huge shout out to Cessnock City Council, NSW Police Force and Hunter TAFE for their continued support of such a fantastic free spectator event that helps inject so much income into our community.
"It was also very encouraging to see the Mayor of Cessnock Jay Suvaal and Member for Hunter Dan Repacholi turning up and championing this local event.
"Our ceremony this year was a showstopper, highlighted by the Cessnock Pipes and Drum Band and our Grid Girls walking the grand prix bike teams onto their grid, followed by a moving Welcome to Country by Uncle Richard Edwards and a stellar performance of the national anthem by Cessnock's own Tara Naysmith.
"We would also like to acknowledge our local heroes, the VRA and RFS.
"To our wonderful in track residents, who are always so supportive, we say thank you and to the public, a massive round of applause for turning out in droves with the biggest crowd to date, and supporting the Cessnock Mitsubishi Australian Postie Bike Grand Prix.
"The APBGP committee have worked tirelessly around the clock all year to bring the best event to you, and we believe we have achieved that.
"We look forward to bringing it back again next year and showcase the only street bike race in the country right here in Cessnock."
EARLIER REPORT: November 7, 7.22am
IT is the race that stops the city of Cessnock and is unlike any other event in the world.
The Cessnock CBD was overrun by a swarm of postie bikes on Sunday as the city hosted the seventh Australian Postie Bike Grand Prix.
After a three-year forced hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Postie Bike Grand Prix returned with a roar as about 150 riders in 68 teams chased fun and glory.
There were no mailbags to be seen and everyone was on the same route as riders pushed the 110CC postie bikes to the absolute limit in a hard, fast and entertaining race. The race is a truly unique event - there are other postie bike dashes and events, but Cessnock's Postie Bike Grand Prix is the only street bike GP race in the country and the only street bike GP race on postie bikes in the world.
This year's instalment attracted a wide range of riders from top professional road racers, speedway and dirt bike riders, to local recreational riders keen to have fun in relative safety.
You can't go very fast on a 110CC postie bike, of which Honda has made more than 100 million since 1953.
But riders on Sunday showed you can race to the absolute capacity of the machine as they sped around the Cessnock TAFE grounds and surrounding streets.
First held in 2014, the race - a free community event - has become popular with thousands lining the streets.