Women have certainly been a big part of the New Zealand Motorcycling scene and have excelled against the men on more than one occasion .That continues today with both Avalon Biddle and Courtney Duncan winning national and international races in road racing and moto-cross respectively.
There is one woman , who back in the 1960s was not only a leading rider but also a excellent mechanic. Diane Landrebe (nee Foote) arrived on the road race scene not riding a small capacity bike , but a 500cc BSA Gold Star . Travelling with husband Neville Landrebe , they raced all round New Zealand , racing in the same class.
Diane never expected any privileges from fellow racers , indeed when she first began racing , some clubs were reluctant to have a woman in the main racing class. This soon changed , when she proved to be more than capable . Riding all types of circuits on her BSA , that she prepared herself.
Some of her best races were at Teretonga in Southland where she would record wins in club events and 6th in a New Zealand Road Race Championship event. Her best ride was a win in a International Handicap Race at Teretonga.
After a number of seasons racing Diane decided to hang up her helmet and help her husband with his bike preparation and travelled overseas with him to both the UK as well as Daytona. The machines were now Yamaha race bikes and Neville's success was in no small part due to Diane's work..Neville began to have more success , overseas and in New Zealand , becoming one of the New Zealand's leadin riders.
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| Neville at the Isle of Man -1966 |
Tragically Neville died in a crash at Pukekohe in October 1970..Naturally she was affected by the loss of Neville and for awhile had nothing to do with the sport. However a year later she returned this time with Neville's brother Jim. Entering the little Yamahas in a number of meetings Jim won the New Zealand Grand Prix in 250cc , 350cc, and 500cc classes , just like Neville had done previously .
Diane continued to follow racing for a number of years. The last year of the Marlboro Series she presented a trophy for the highest placed New Zealand club rider. The trophy was won by Rodger Freeth. The trophy was a mounted "Con Rod " from one of the Landrebe G50 Matchless motors.
Diane lives in Glenavy near Oamaru in New Zealand's South Island.
Diane lives in Glenavy near Oamaru in New Zealand's South Island.
Story: Ian Dawson ©copyright 2016
Great lady, She was one of those racing people who inspired me in my teen years.
ReplyDeleteShe had a nice bike prepared prepared by herself and she could ride it.