Dunedin motorcyclist Michael Lee finished a close second in the formula 2 event at the Nelson street races last week.
Lee, riding a Kawasaki 600 in the event, could have bagged the win in the three-race event but luck was not on his side.
After placing second in the first race, he was leading in the second race before he ran into trouble on the second-last corner.
He was pushed back to fourth.
In the final race he went to the front and could not be headed.
The formula 2 event was won by John Lewis, of Nelson, who finished first in the other two races.
Lee said the track was tricky as some oil had been spilt on it during practice Lee was hoping to contest other events this summer but a lack of finance was holding him back.
He had been invited to Manx grand prix races in the Isle of Man this year but said that would depend on getting about $10,000 to fund the trip.
