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All four Japanese motorcycle brands will be unveiling their new model race bikes and their new team line-up this Sunday Sept. 24th, at Manfeild for the 7th & final round of the 2000 Suzuki Road Race Series.
Suzuki will have two of their new most advanced GSXR-750 ever, out in the very capable hands of Wanganui’s Brian Bernard, series leader in three classes – Open Sport Production, Formula Xtreme & Shoei Helmets A Grade, and Taranaki’s Shaun Harris, fresh from success in the Isle of Man earlier this year.
Honda show their cards with their new CBR900RRY, with no less than two of the country’s top riders on board – we expected Ray Clee from Huapai, but we didn’t expect to see Timaru’s John Hepburn make the switch to Honda. A formidable pair in Formula Xtreme, Open Sport Production & A Grade classes.
Kawasaki have yet to show all their cards, but Dean Fulton from Mt. Maunganui will ride a ZX9R, while it is hoped that entries will be received from the other team members making comebacks, Daniel McLachlan on a 600cc ZX6R and Hamilton’s Jared Love to ride a highly modified ZX9R.
BUT, with all their eggs in one safe basket, Yamaha field Tony Rees on their new 1000cc R1. Tony owns the Kawerau Yamaha motorcycle dealership, has numerous NZ titles, vast experience in Australia’s cut & thrust Formula Xtreme races, as well as World Championship International Endurance races in Europe.
Joining this line up will be several outstanding riders who have supported the seven round series throughout. Aprilia, the famous Italian marque will be represented by Bruce Telford from Otaki & in the Formula Xtreme races by Glen Williams on bikes supported by BOP Robbie Dean Aprilia. Williams will also be hoping to defend his lead in the Pirelli 600cc Sport Production Class on his Kawasaki ZX6-R, from Normanby’s Bruce Hansen (Suzuki GSXR600) & Palmerston North’s Troy O’Donoghue (ZX6-R).
A battle to the final checker flag is expected in the Blue Wing Honda Formula 3 Plus class. Just one point separates two Tauranga riders. Glen Tanner riding a Honda VFR400 NC30 leads with 278 points from Bill van den Hoven (Yamaha FZR400), while Palmerston North’s Scott Griffiths (Kawasaki ZXR400) looks on with a comfortable 3rd place.
Another Griffiths, Regan, leads the combined class of 125GP & 250cc Production from hard charging Hawke’s Bay rider Brent Symes by 37 points, not a lead big enough to be comfortable, when both riders are on identical Honda RS125. Leading 250 Production rider Dean Russo (Suzuki RGV250) from Upper Hutt, lies 3rd.
Yet another Griffiths enters the Streetstock 150cc fray, this time Kerry (Suzuki RG150), but he’s unlikely to make a dent on the very competitive leading bunch. Kawasaki KR150 mounted Derek McAdam (Wellington) and Graeme Parr (Papakura) lead this new exciting budget sports bike class clearly from BOP riders Grant Waddicor & James Dean, both riding Suzuki RG150. Late to enter the series, but making significant inroads into this class is the Honda NSRR150 from the NBR Team, ridden by Daniel Jansen (Stoke)
Ladies make up no less than seven entries in this series. Sally Steadman from Palmerston North rides a very competitive NBR Honda RS125, holds down first place in the Shaft Motorcycles D Grade and 13th place in the 125GP/250 Production class. Kilbirnie’s Vicki Knight (Suzuki GSXR400) leads the RK Chain Novice Class, Wanganui’s Rochelle Broughton (Suzuki RG150) 4th, National Park’s Chrissi Phillips-Ryburn (Suzuki Katana 650) 9th, Papakura’s Beverley Holden (Kawasaki KRR150) 10th, and Pam Bornman from Hamilton 25th on her Honda RS125. Motorcycle sport is no longer a “man’s world”!
The 27 race programme this Sunday at Manfeild starts at 10.30am, spectator admission is free, and we can promise a full day of real live action.
The 2000 Suzuki Road Race Series is proudly supported by – Yamaha, Shaft Motorcycles, Blue Wing Honda, Kiwi Rider, Suzuki, Red Baron Motorcycles, Aprilia Motorcycles, Bike Mart, Kawasaki, Motorcycle Trader & News, RK Chain, Shoei Helmets, & Pirelli, the best Sports production tyre.
