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It won\'t be easy to pick a winner of the Aprilia Down Under Motorcycles 125GP & 250 Production class at this Sunday\'s (June 25th) 4th round of the 2000 Suzuki Road Race Series at Taupo.
The 2 classes of bike are very evenly matched on this short 1.4km circuit - the 125 GP bikes being more nimble and faster around the corners, while the 250 Production bikes have more torque out of the corners, and quicker off the start line.
Mix in the main ingredients to the equation now, the riders, and we have Aucklanders Dave Manuell & Cloud Craig-Smith, Dean Russo (Upper Hutt) all riding Suzuki RGV250\'s, & in the 125GP class Kevin Brookes (Whangamata), Regan Griffiths (Palmerston North), OB Wilson (Auckland) all riding Honda RS125\'s, to mention just a few from the \"fast lane\" who want to see the checker flag first.
The Formula 3 Plus class, supported by Honda, will also see some major challenges. Glen Tanner (Honda VFR400) from Tauranga took over the lead at the last Manfeild round from BOP friend off the track, Bill van den Hoven (Yamaha FZR400) pushed hard by a host of Kawasaki ZXR400\'s ridden by no less than Dean Fulton from Mt. Maunganui, Russell Watson (currently 3rd) & Scott Griffiths from Palmerston North. Throw in a couple of Ducati 900ss, also eligible for this class, and we have a race that means more than a Sunday drive.
The Pirelli Tyres Sport Production 600cc class, sees Palmerston North\'s Troy O\'Donoghue really getting to grips with his Kawasaki ZX6R, trying awfully hard to close the gap on class leader, Aucklander Glen Williams on a similar bike. Hawera\'s Bruce Hansen currently second in the 600 class, leads the Suzuki opposition and is ably supported by Palmerston North\'s Tim Kendall (currently 3rd), & New Plymouth\'s Andrew Bretherton. All the bikes in this class use the same Pirelli Evo tyre, so it\'s a level playing field.
Suzuki\'s Brian Bernard, yet to be beaten in the Pirelli Open Sport Production class, still has plenty of opposition from Auckland\'s Lance Lowe, both ride Suzuki GSXR750\'s, with Bruce Telford from Waikanae on a very fast Aprilia RSV1000 always lurking.
The A Grade Shoei Helmet class again sees Brian Bernard in the lead, but not getting his own way. Dennis Charlett, riding a Yamaha TZ250 has beaten Bernard before at the Taupo circuit, & the former South Islander will be \"scratching\" everything to repeat the dose. Infect this class with the aforementioned flock of 125GP & 250 \"Proddy\" bikes, and there will be a depth of quality racing.
Six different makes of motorcycle hold the top six places in the B Grade Kiwi Rider/Bike Mart class. Both Barry Prior from Levin riding a Triumph T595 leading with 87 points, and Te Awamutu\'s Danny McIndoe riding a Suzuki GSXR1100, are in their first year of racing. Upgrading to a Honda CBR400, Ross Peden (Auckland) is 3rd, absolute newcomer Ashley Collet (GSXR750) is 4th, \"old timer\" Jim Fulton from Mt. Maunganui is 5th on a Kawasaki ZXR400, while Palmerston North\'s Brian Lawrence & his Ducati 900ss, holds a sixth place tie with a younger Fulton (Dean), riding a borrowed ZXR400.
Making the day more attractive will be sampler girls from Red Bull Energy Drinks, a slick 24 race programme starting at 10.30am with rider tuition and other entertainment during the day.
The 2000 Suzuki Road Race Series is proudly supported by - Suzuki, Shaft Motorcycles, Blue Wing Honda, Kiwi Rider, Red Baron Motorcycles, Aprilia Motorcycles, Bike Mart, Kawasaki, Motorcycle Trade, RK Chain, Shoei Helmets, & best Sports production tyre available - Pirelli.
