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The annual Paeroa Battle of the Streets event has been canned after 27 years due to rising costs and a drop in spectator numbers.

Paeroa Promotions Trust president Jo Tilsley says the trust made the difficult decision to discontinue the motorcycling race event after much consideration.

"Rising costs and decreasing spectator numbers have brought about this decision.

"The Trust wishes to offer it's heartfelt thanks to Hauraki District Council, Auckland Motorcycle Club, Motorcycling New Zealand, event sponsors and the community of Paeroa for their unwavering support of this iconic event over the last 27 years.

"Also, a very special thank you to all competitors who have risen to the challenge of 'The Hacksaw', providing simply breath-taking spectator viewing along the way."

The trust also wanted to thank its invaluable volunteer groups of Paeroa and Hauraki for generously giving their time and expertise to help run the event.

"Without them this event simply wouldn't have existed."

Over the past 27 years, the Battle of the Streets has seen more than $700,000 granted to local community groups, honouring the founders of the event and their mission to raise funds for charitable purposes for the benefit of the Paeroa community.

"While the Trust is saddened to have to call time on 'the Battle', it is proud of what has been achieved over the lifetime of the event; it's a true celebration of community at its best.

"From three blokes sharing a few beers and an idea… it's been a hell of a ride."

The road race was the brainchild of three Paeroa men, Bob Jeffrey, Sharland Waikato and Colin Lynch, who showed Hauraki District Council Mayor John Tregidga a map of a proposed race circuit around Paeroa streets after a meeting at the Paeroa RSA.

The trio thought it would only be a one-off event but with council backing and community support, it remained an annual event for 27 years.

The three men would drive to bike race meetings all over the country to advertise the Paeroa event, placing flyers under thousands of windscreens in parking lots, and many hours were spent sewing plastic bottles into wool bales to be used as safety barriers.

-Stuff/Teresa Ramsey