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Kawerau’s Tony Rees started his 2000-2001 Road Race Season of with a bang today by taking both the Superbike (Formula One) and Open Sports Production Tourist Trophies at Pukekohe on board his pair of Yamaha R1s.
Rees overcame an oil leak and a slipping clutch, to take out both the preliminary races for Superbikes and Open Sports Production on Saturday afternoon.
With Saturday’s problems solved, Rees set out to secure his first Trophy for the new season.
After a bad start, he quickly took control of the Superbike (Formula One) Tourist Trophy race in the soaring heat at Pukekohe. By the end of the 36-lap race, Rees on board his modified Yamaha R1 was well clear of second place getter Dean Fulton.
“It wasn’t one of my best starts but in a 36 lap race it didn’t matter that much, I was able to pull them back down the back straight,” said Rees
Rees then completed his day in the sun by taking out the Open Sports Production Tourist Trophy.
Rees spent the first hour of the two-hour race dueling with Brian Bernard and Shaun Harris both on Suzuki GSXR750s. After an accident Rees was caught behind a back-marker while running under a yellow flag. He then fought back to pass Brian Bernard with only a few minutes to spare to take the lead and the win.
“It was hard work out there in that heat but it is good to have the win,” said Rees
