Burt Munro Challenge 2026: Key Events & What to Expect

Five days of iconic races, unforgettable moments, and pure motorcycling spirit.

It’s official, the Burt Munro Challenge is back for 2026, and it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest yet.

Held in Invercargill, New Zealand, from Wednesday 5 to Sunday 9 February, this iconic motorsport festival honours the legendary speed record-holder Burt Munro, whose passion and perseverance continue to inspire riders from all over the world.

With five days of action-packed events, unique race formats, and an unbeatable rally atmosphere, it’s no surprise this one’s a permanent fixture on the bucket list of thousands of motorcycle fans.

Five Days. Six Signature Events. One Iconic Event.

What sets the Burt Munro Challenge apart? It’s not just the speed, it’s the variety.

Each day brings a completely different style of racing, from beach sprints to twilight drag battles, and it all unfolds across Southland’s most scenic backdrops.

Here’s what you can expect across the 2026 event:

Key Events & Races

Bluff Hill Climb – Wednesday

The festival fires up with one of the most spectacular events on the calendar, the Bluff Hill Climb.

Set on the winding coastal road up to Stirling Point, riders test their skill (and nerves) on a steep time-trial course with views worth slowing down for, though no one’s doing that.

Oreti Beach Races – Thursday

Burt Munro once raced these very sands, and every year, they come alive again.

The Oreti Beach Races are raw, fast and full of nostalgia, with modern machines ripping across the same stretch of beach that helped make Burt a legend.

Twilight Drag Racing – Friday

When the sun goes down, the lights fire up at Teretonga Park for the Twilight Drag Racing event.

Side-by-side sprints under the stars deliver the perfect blend of atmosphere and adrenaline, and the crowd never disappoints.

Speedway & Street Racing – Saturday

It’s a double dose of racing on Saturday.

First up, street racing brings the thunder to Invercargill’s city centre. Then the action shifts to the Speedway, where dirt, noise and close-quarters chaos rule the night. Expect big crowds and even bigger thrills.

Circuit Racing – Sunday

To close out the weekend, the spotlight returns to Teretonga Circuit, the world’s southernmost FIA-recognised racetrack.

A full day of high-speed action rounds out the Challenge, with multiple bike classes on show and plenty of final-day atmosphere trackside.