Robert will, this year, team up with daughter Karina to vie for top honours in the popular event and he said this year, the pair were more prepared than ever.

“It is a little bit like coming full circle,” he said.

“This year, though we are a little bit more prepared. Karina was in Fraser Island this time last year so we didn’t really get to ride the bike together. But this year, we’re prepared and raring to go – Peter Mann Automotive has got the bike humming nicely so we’re looking forward to a big day.

Robert added that while the event represents a great family day out for spectators, the same can be said for the competitors.

“It is a great family day especially for us,” he said. “Phil Lovett will also be riding with his daughter Sophie and [event director] Dave Robinson will ride with his son.

“Phil is 56 and a couple of years older than me but how good is it that we;re still out there rubbing shoulders with the leaders?’

This year’s event will be an extra special one for Karina who has been named as ambassador for the inaugural all-female street race – the first of it’s kind in Australia, which has attracted a full field of 26 riders.

“i was shocked and also a bit nervous when they asked me but it really is a great thing for the sport,” she said.

Karina said she hoped the race would encourage more female participation in the sport locally.

“This is the hub of motorbikes, whether it’s road racing, dirt bikes or speedway, there’s so much talent here,” she said.

“But even in the dirtbikes, there’s only like six girls every year – there is more juniors than there is seniors so hopefully the race will inspire some more females to have a go.”

To the untrained eye, riding a postie bike might seem like a doddle – not so according to the Baileys.

“The thing is you haven't got a tank between your legs for starters,” Robert said.

“When you’re on the limit, the front is flexing the rear wheel’s flexing, everything’s letting go at certain times  – it’s not like riding a normal motorbike,” Robert said.

Echoing her father’s sentiment, Karina added that all bets are off once the race starts and 10,000 people, lining the Cessnock streets, are cheering you on.

“Last year, I came around a corner and all our fans were standing there screaming at me and I nearly crashed – it scared the crap out of me.”

The Cessnock Mitsubishi Australian postie Bike Grand Prix is on Sunday 18 November. Entry is free. For more information, visit cessnockmotorcycleclub.com.au