‘Quocunque jeceris stabi' – motto of the Isle of Man, 600 square kilometres of motorcycling heaven, or motorcycling graveyard, in the Irish Sea.
'Officially it translates as ‘whichever way you throw, it will stand',” says Omokoroa motorcycling nut, Malcolm Brown.
It's reflected in the distinctive Manx flag – a triskelion, three golden-armoured legs and golden spurs on a red background.
'So, whichever way I fall, I will land on my feet. That hasn't always happened for me, but I keep coming back,” says Malcolm.
This is a story about high speed, crazy speed, a crash – a business one – debt and a man's bid for redemption.
Malcolm plans to compete in the Isle of Man's Manx Grand Prix and Classic TT event in September next year.
'It's for young riders starting out and older blokes on older bikes who want to keep racing the Isle of Man.” At 68, Malcolm qualifies as an older bloke. And there's also a RS250R V-twin Honda 2-stroke developing 90 break horsepower and weighing 100kg waiting for him in England.
But first, there's unfinished business at home, business that must be tidied. Because Malcolm's a debtor looking for a couple of creditors. It doesn't usually work that way, which tells us something about the man.
'I had a business – Brownie's Brewery and Motorcycle Museum in Katikati.” The business went belly up, he was bankrupted and two creditors remain unpaid. Everything's settled according to Malcolm, except a kitchenhand owed $1500 and an electrician owed $4500.
'I have tried to find them, but I can't. I told them at the time I would pay them. I have saved the money, it's in the bank and I want to pay them.” He hopes this story may flush them out. 'Then I can focus on the Isle of Man without a conscience.”
Isle of Man is the world's most dangerous motorsport circuit – 257 deaths over the past 111 years, including two this year. 'No, it doesn't hold any fears for me,” says Malcolm, turning away from his business demons to his passion.
'It's more dangerous for me to ride from Omokoroa to my job in 9th Avenue. Cars are the problem, no respect at all. But racing on the Isle of Man, you are all going in the same direction, and you know where you are and where you are going.”
Even at 273kph up the mountain and through the village of Crosby. 'When the white dotted line becomes one big white line, you are moving.” A fast and smooth ride is the ticket, he reckons. Fast and smooth.
Malcom raced at the 1980 Manx Grand Prix, winning a newcomer's award, lapping at 154kph. 'It was so foggy I couldn't see the rev counter. I just watched the white lines and wherever they went I pointed the bike.
'Would it be cheeky for me to ask for help to get there? I want my bike to be called City of Tauranga with an appropriate livery?” He intends inviting some local businesses to a meeting to test interest. But either way he's going; either way he will be at Isle of Man next year. The man who drove his way out of a financial mire at the wheel of commuter buses is hell-bent.
'For two years after the business folded I hid because I was ashamed.” He just needs to find that kitchen hand and the electrician, redemption will be complete and he can attack the bucket list.
Anyone interested in helping Malcolm with his venture could email: 1950mjb@gmail.com. He would also be very glad to hear from the electrician and the kitchenhand so he can finish some business.