A buzz is beginning to emerge across the north east, with the wheels starting to turn ahead of what is promised to be another bumper Historic Winton event.
The epic weekend of racing on May 27 and 28 will see classics take to Winton Motor Raceway, and one figure who cannot wait for the event to roll around is motorcycle racing legend Bob Rosenthal.
He soared to four victories at last year’s Historic Winton, improving on a second and third placing in 2021, where he was pipped at the finish line by international champion Cameron Donald.
An ever-fierce competitor, Rosenthal has a remarkable win ratio of 30 per cent, taking out 16 wins as well as second and third finishes from his last 18 races.
It was a career meant to be, with the high-octane speedster destined to be on two wheels since he was young.
“I forged my mum’s signature a few times when I was 17 and never got picked up on it,” Rosenthal said.
“I was only one year too young with the legal age being 18.”
His initial foray as a motorcycle racer saw him compete from 1965-1978 for Milledge Yamaha.
He then turned his hand at historic racing following a 35-year hiatus, and found he had not lost his magic behind the handlebars.
The 46th Historic Winton serves as another opportunity to compete, and Rosenthal is champing at the bit to tear around the track once again.
“My second career, that commenced in 2013, only came about because I was offered to ride some nice bikes,” he said.
“At Historic Winton this year, I’ll be riding a 1962 Norton ESA in the P3 500cc Unlimited races on the Saturday and Sunday.
“On the Sunday at Historic Winton, I’ll be competing in the inaugural Doug Hicks Trophy, which I’m really looking forward to.”
The 46th Historic Winton is Australia’s most popular and longest running historic motorsport event, which includes car, motorbike and sidecar races.
Children 17 and under are free, but must be booked online and accompanied by an adult.
Discounted tickets are available online from https://historicwinton.org
Full-priced tickets will also be available at the Huntley St gate of Winton Motor Raceway during the weekend.