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FEBRUARY 21, 2007: Pukekohe's Sam Smith has officially been labelled the country's Most Promising Newcomer among the motorcycle road-racing fraternity and he plans on making sure his rivals know why.
Not licensed to drive on public roads, the teenage Yamaha star was unable to compete in the Battle of the Streets series, which wrapped up at Paeroa at the weekend, but there's nothing to stop him carving up the competition on the purpose-built circuits such as Ruapuna or Teretonga.
With that in mind, the young superstar has been hard at work preparing to defend his points lead at round four of the road-race series this weekend at Manawatu's Manfeild circuit, near Feilding.
Smith took his Tecnam Yamaha YZFR6 to Manfeild for testing last week and immediately impressed by clocking under the lap record. Even more remarkable, he was circulating on worn rubber, with new tyres in short supply.
“We just used what he had left over from the previous race,” said Smith's manager, mechanic and mentor Dave Cole, a four-time former national champion.
“We were testing suspension settings,” he explained. “But Sam was on fire, going under the lap record. It was the fastest he's ever been around Manfeild.”
Leading the ultra-competitive 600 sports production class at the halfway stage of the six-round series, Smith knows his chances of taking the national title may depend on what happens on the track this Sunday.
Although Smith is brimming with confidence, his ascendancy comes under pressure at Manfeild when he again lines up against fierce rival Craig Shirriffs (Feilding), the defending champion from last season, who will be racing on his home track this weekend.
“The other riders will definitely step up the pace at Manfeild,” said Cole.
He also expects Australian Yamaha riders Scott Charlton and Chris Seaton to be quick this weekend.
Smith has a 12-point lead over Shirriffs.
Leading standings after round three of the SsangYong New Zealand Road Race Championships:
