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Suzuki SuperMoto - Taupo - Sunday August 4
By: Todd Sutherland of BikeMart:
Along with the great weather (in the
afternoon) we had a new track layout on the Taupo Circuit on Sunday.
The idea was to try an alternative (tighter) layout just for a bit of
variety. Our own World Supermoto competitors Stephen Briggs and Simon Turner
have put in a few test miles and tell us that the slow tight stuff gives
competitors the opportunity to work on their sliding techique. So we
tightened things up and everyone seemed to enjoy it.
Turner missed this weekend as he's nursing a broken collarbone. The Wellington based racer sustained the injury riding a borrowed dirt bike in Belguim at the 1st round of the world championship.
Although obviously disappointed that he couldn't ride on the weekend and that he will not be joining Briggs at the next round of the 'Worlds' in Holland, Turner is sure that with a few meetings under our (NZ Competitors ) belts and the right equipment that "we'll be up there"
Former world MX champ and Supermoto 1 winner Shayne King who has now switched to Honda made the most of the day with 5 from 5 on a CRF450. Paeroa motorcycle dealer Mark Whyte managed to push King along in the bikes final and fastest race on a DRZ430, still using the standard disc brakes! The battle for 3rd place usally involved Nigel Healey (KTM), Brendon Stephenson(KTM), Craig Flood (Honda) and Supermoto 2 winner Brent Symes(Honda).
Quads were a new addition to the programme and proved popular entertainment. New Plymouth's Tony Etheridge grabbed 4 from 5 with Paul Young grabbing the last race.
'B' Grade had a number of winners with Greg Smith (CR250,the 250cc 2 stroke winner)taking 2 from 5 with the other winners being, Peter Nolan, Rob Howell, Greg Boyd (Boyd Honda Hamilton) with a win a piece.
All this and Neil Richie calling the shots and Tim and Joan Gibbes keeping an eye on everything with the excellent track timing system.
Check it all out in the September issue of Kiwi Rider and on the :MOTORCYCLESPORT.CO.NZ: website and go to `Hot off the Press`.
