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New Zealand is about to see Supermoto step up to a new level of professionalism with the coming 2005 three round championship series, first round kicking off on the 27th Feb at Taupo. Along with such notable riders as Stephen Briggs and Craig Flood there is an added draw card, that of IRISH Supermoto Prestige Class champion Greg Kinsella aboard the exotic VOR.
The classes cater for all standard bikes but the main championship class is for pure Supermoto bikes on 17 inch wheels up to 670cc. Support classes (Sportsman) based on capacity are for machines sporting standard wheels with road type tires fitted along with Quads as an all-in OPEN class sporting slick type tires.
The series has attracted sponsorships from RK Chains, SportsPro Racing, Shift Riding Gear, Moto Sports Unlimited, Euro Bike Wholesales and Husaberg Motosport, as a result there is $7500 of prize money up for grabs.
With the Taupo track having been setup for Supermoto utilising half the back straight, diverting back to the esses onto the fast sweeper prior to branching off to the dirt section that comprises of table tops, doubles, fast bermed turns and stutters the racing is promising to be exiting from a spectators point of view and exhilarating for the riders.
In comparison round two is to be held the following Sunday on the 6th March at Taumaranui Kart Racing track where the tar section of the course is much tighter and demanding. The final round is scheduled to be held back at Taupo on 20th March.
All rounds have a sign-in between 9am and 10am followed by practice and qualifying as required pending entry numbers in each class.
All competitors are required to wear race leathers, leather gloves, moto X type boots and naturally an approved helmet and goggles.
If you have an inkling for a go at Supermoto and have a reliable off road bike there is no better time to go out and do it, supermoto is fast gaining popularity and if New Zealand follows the trends overseas Supermoto could become the next big thing for NZ motorsport.
For more information and entry forms view www.supermotard.co.nz or contact Nigel Bevin on 0274 723 043 or E-mail on njbevin@xtra.co.nz
