Sport + Motorsport
Motorcycle racer Cormac Buchanan is set to return home for a special fundraising event this October. The Invercargill teen, who competes in the Moto3 World Championship with Denssi BOE Motorsport, will host the gala dinner “Grid Talk” at Bill Richardson Transport World on Saturday, 11 October.
The evening will be highlighted by the presence of MotoGP legend Simon Crafar, who recently became chairman of the FIM MotoGP Steward Panel. With Sky Sport broadcaster Stephen McIvor as MC, guests can expect exclusive stories and behind-the-scenes perspectives from the racing world.
“It will be a lot of fun to share some of the tales from my rookie Moto3 season and I know Simon has plenty of yarns from his long involvement with MotoGP and the best racers on the planet. It will be an entertaining night for sure,” Buchanan said.
The fundraiser is crucial for Buchanan, who has set his sights on the 2026 Moto3 world title. “The reality is motorsport is incredibly expensive, especially at this top international level. I’m so grateful to my family and sponsors who work so hard to give me this chance,” he said. “They have sacrificed so much to get me into the Moto3 ranks, now we need some help to keep me on the grid so I can continue representing New Zealand.”
Adding to the weekend, the Southland Motorcycle Club will host a track day on Sunday, 12 October, at Teretonga Raceway. Buchanan will also conduct a training session for junior riders. “It will be a lot of fun to work with the new generation of riders coming through the ranks. They are starting out exactly the same way I did and it’s really exciting to see how passionate they are already about racing,” he said. “The Southland club and Burt Munro Challenge play a huge part in supporting my racing career and this is a chance to give back to them.”
Tickets for the gala are $200 per person, with options for individual tickets or tables of 10. Bookings can be made by calling 021 292 1660 or emailing [email protected]. The evening will include live entertainment by Triple Shot and auctions featuring exclusive memorabilia and experiences.
