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Again it was true winter conditions that the 5th round of the 1999 Suzuki Road Race Series met head on at Taupo today Sunday August 15th.
The first round of races were mainly dry, then the promised showers from the weather office started teasing the racing, to the detriment of more than a few who needed more than 2 wheels to stay upright!
Wet or dry, many of the class winners on the day took out three wins out of three races in their respective classes, showing their masterly control in all conditions.
Robbie Dean from Tauranga won all three Streetstock 150cc classes on his Suzuki RG150, and another Bay of Plenty rider, Corey Oxenham won all three 600cc Sport Production races on his Kawasaki ZX6R. Oxenham closed right up on series points leader Warren Turner (Yamaha R6), so just 10 points separate them as they go to the final round at Manfeild on Saturday August 25th.
Wanganui92s Brian Bernard riding his Suzuki TL1000R V-Twin thundered away to three consecutive wins in the Open Sport Production class, while Aucklander92s Aaron Maitland (Honda CB900RR) took a last race advantage tie to snatch 2nd place from Martin Peck (Kawasaki ZX9R), both gaining 45 points today.
Japanese rider Masa Nakamura blew through the field from back row starts in the 125GP/250 Production races to win all three with his \"Quik by Rob\" Honda RS125, eclipsing series class leader Ray Wilson from Bulls, who had a hard day made harder by a meeting with Mother Nature.
Dean Fulton from Mt. Maunganui made his first appearance in the series very effectively by winning all three RK Chain A Grade races easily on his Kawasaki ZX750R Superbike, from Corey Oxenham.
Tony Bond on his beautiful Buell \"White Lightning\" smiled more when the rain came down, by winning the 2 wet races of the Shoei Helmet B Grade classes. Class contender Jarrod Wintle (Honda NSR250) had to sit out a race with no \"wet\" tyres, seeing the gap between himself & leader Bond increase, while third placeman on the day, fast improving Garry Abbiss from Palmerston North moved up to 3rd overall with 8-5-4 finishes on his Honda RS125.
Hard charging Harley-Davidson muscle man Craig Gollop found the HOG too much of a handful in the wet after a 2nd place in the dry first race of the Pirelli Evo Tyres C Grade class, dropping right off the pace to relinquish the lead to the nimble Tauranga Plumbing Honda RS125 ridden by Jared Hartstone from Papamoa, who took two wins & a third.
An eventful day for the 152 riders present, with a \"cracker\" final, Manfeild on Saturday Sept 25th.
Top three results overall in the series are attached.
The 1999 Suzuki Road Race Series is supported by Suzuki, Shoei Helmets, RK Takasago Chain, Shinko Tyres, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Honda, Kiwi Motorcycle Rider, Pirelli Tyres, Aprilia Motorcycles, Bike Mart, Red Baron Motorcycles, Motor Cycle Trader & News.
More information & full results available from:
Tim Gibbes, Box 1132, Palmerston North
Phone & Fax: (06) 353 0750. Mobile (025) 422 662.
E-mail: timgibbes@clear.net.nz
