Nick's first venture into Velo racing was to buy (along with one of his brothers) one of the six Thruxtons sold new in New Zealand, and in the mid or late '70s, entered a six-hour production race, against modern large Japanese bikes. They were doing very well until the engine let go in a big way. I think it was the conrod. Anyway, it destroyed the engine. They rebuilt it, and had to sell.
In the '80s, Nick raced a distinctive / slightly odd Venom in classic racing. Lots of clever detail mods, but not radical development. Upswept, wide clip-ons and an all-over white paint job, which looked as though he applied it with a wide paint brush. It was known as the 'Fisher and Paykel special' (a New Zealand brand making ovens, washing machines and the like, known as 'whitewear'). I think Nick has moved on a bit since then....