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The seven round Suzuki Road Race Series kicks off this weekend (March 4-5) at Manfeild Autocourse, not far from Palmerston North. Practice, coaching and public ride day is Saturday with racing on Sunday. Admission to the circuit is free.
Already more than 90 riders have pre-entered, with a notable rider being John Hepburn from Timaru, who will ride his record-breaking 300+ kph Suzuki Hayabusa 1300cc in the newly introduced Formula Xtreme class, before shipping it to Australia to ride it at the Easter Bathurst Formula Xtreme event.
Formula Xtreme is what it sounds like - extreme motorcycles with modification spermitted, from 800 to 1300cc capacity in the case of 4-cylinder bikes, and from 700cc in the case of twins and triples. The line up so far includes John Stewart (Pauanui) and Chris Boyle (Palmerston North) both on Ducatis, Sean Aitken from Wellington on his Suzuki GSXR1100, Steve Bridge from Hamilton on a Kawasaki ZX9R, and a Suzuki TL1000 to be ridden by Adrian Cox of Hamilton.
The all important Sports Production classes - over the dealer\'s counter specification - will see last year\'s winner of the 600cc class, Palmerston North\'s Warren Turner again contesting with his Phil Turnbull Motorcycles Yamaha R6, before shipping his bike to the Isle of Mann for the June TT races.
Adding a new dimension to this 600cc class, will be a \'controlled\' tyre. That is all the riders in this class will use the same Pirelli Evo Supersport compound tyre - well proven in racing, and providing a \'level playing field\' in this very competitive, all makes supported class.
To encourage new and \'recycled\' (making a comeback after a spell) riders, this Saturday will be an open day for riders wishing to check their bikes, be coached by #1 Brian Bernard, pracice or just ride. Saturday\'s riding will start at 9am, while Sunday\'s racing starts at 10:30 until 4:30.
A three hour ride around Manawatu and Rangitikei starting from Manfeild at 11am, is also planned for road riders, while a free display of old and new motorcycles, accessories and craftmanship, will continue throughout the weekend in IA&P Pavillion in the pits.
To encourage new riders into our sport, there is a Novice first time riders class, a Young Achievers Award, as well as graded riding classes of A, B & C, which are seeded from each riders previous lap times, which gives everyone a chance to excel in their own field.
Sundays 24 race programme starts at 10:30 with all the other popular classes included, such as Formula 3 plus, 125GP/250 production, 150 Streetstock, training and displays.
More information:
Tim Gibbes
Phone & fax 06 353 0750
Mobile 025 422 662
Email timgibbes@clear.net.nz
