There’s one thing for certain, Mitch Rees certainly knows how to push a motorbike to its limits.

The New Zealand Superbike Champion, who has opted against doing the New Zealand series in 2025 and 2026 because of impending travel overseas, showed his class at the recent Burt Munro Challenge in Invercargill from February 4-8.

It’s an event he enjoys and wanted to be part of again, so he came down and took part, although dad Tony was missing this year, recent ankle surgery meant he’s having time off the bike.

With Tony the defending Bluff Hill Climb Champion and having posted the fastest ever time in 2025, but not competing in 2026, many eyes were on Mitch to see if he’d give his dad’s time a crack.

Well Mitch did and he’s now the record holder of the fastest ever time up Bluff Hill in the 19 years of the Burt Munro Challenge, thanks to his 43.268 seconds, which knocked half a second off Tony’s time of 43.747.

Mitch broke the record with his first attempt, although he was slightly slower as the day went on because of tar on the road melting.

Burt Munro committee chairman Bill Moffatt said it was impressive watching Mitch in action.

“I am not surprised that he managed to beat Tony’s record. If anyone was going to do it. I guess it was the current NZ Superbike Champion.

“I actually didn’t think the record would go because of the conditions of the road as it had only recently been re-sealed and was lifting in parts, so I’m incredibly impressed that someone did manage to beat it.”

It meant Mitch was the winner of the Bluff Hill Climb Trophy, making it a fourth straight year the Rees family have held it.

Mitch hadn’t competed in the Hill Climb since winning it in 2018.

“I enjoy coming down here and I thought I would do the Burt Munro Challenge again before heading back overseas. We’re always looked after down here in Invercargill,’ he said between efforts up Bluff Hill.

He also took part in the drags on Thursday night and showcased his class on the track at Teretonga across Saturday and Sunday with four impressive wins in the Formula 1 class.

“He’s impressive to watch and it’s great having someone of his class involved,” Moffatt said.

Mitch recorded the fastest lap of the weekend at Teretonga with his 57.358, another lap record.

“A bunch of different challenges over the weekend which provided some entertainment and snagged another lap record on some Pirelli rubber.”

He heads to Spain at the end of the month for some testing.