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Photo - Andrew Stroud (File photo):
Photo courtesy of Andy McGechan:
Email Andy: He may have a photo of you in his extensive files?
MotorSport Network Ltd - Press Release:
The Motorcycle Trader & News New Zealand Road Race Championships go underway today, Saturday Dec.4, at Ruapuna Raceway just outside Christchurch.
The Superbike class was like the racing of old, with Whakatane’s Tony Rees (Yamaha R1) battling with Auckland’s Ray Clee (Suzuki GSXR 1000). The pair were only a few feet apart for the whole race.
"It was great to be back out there with the boys after a year off," said Rees after the race, "the Yamaha is going brilliantly," he added after catching his breath.
Defending champion, Hamilton’s Andrew Stroud, experienced problems with his clutch, giving him a bad start and when he arrived at turn one on the outside of the field, he was left no where to go but out onto the grass and towards the tyre wall.
He then went on to set a lap time just 3 tenths of a second off his own lap record (1.32.08) set in 1995 on the Britten.
TT winner, New Plymouth’s Shaun Harris on a Suzuki, dominated the 600 Sport Production Class, while Palmerston North’s Craig Shirriffs (Suzuki) and Timaru’s John Hepburn (Kawasaki) had a great battle for the minor placings.
Racing continues today (Sunday) with two races for each class, the final race for each class will be for the New Zealand Grand Prixs.
Provisional Results:
Formula Three:
Terry Fitzgerald, New Plymouth, Suzuki SV 650, 1;
Jason Easton, Foxton, Tigcraft 465, 2;
Jason Nairn, Suzuki SV650, 3.
600 Sports Production:
Shaun Harris, New Plymouth, Suzuki GSXR 600, 1;
Craig Shirriffs, Palmerston North, Suzuki GSXR 600, 2;
Johnny Hepburn, Kawasaki XR600, 3.
250 Grand Prix:
John Beck, Invercargill, Yamaha TZ 250, 1;
Hayden Bool, Kirwee, Honda RS250, 2;
Andrew Graham, New Plymouth, Yamaha TZ250, 3.
125cc Grand Prix:
Jay Lawrence, Paekakariki, Honda RS125, 1;
Steven Wood, Blenheim, 2;
Cameron Horgan, Christchurch, Honda RS125, 3.
Superbikes:
Tony Rees, Whakatane, Yamaha R1, 1;
Ray Clee, Auckland, Suzuki GSXR1000, 2;
Shaun Harris, New Plymouth, Suzuki GSXR1000, 3.
