    |
 |
|
|
|
Keep tuned to the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi this weekend, as our own New Zealand built bsl500 GP bike makes its bid to qualify for the event. Internet site www.motograndprix.com will steer you there. Stephen Briggs is the rider & the team are very hopeful after the NZ testing, which included wins at the 2000 Suzuki Road Race Series.
As well the World Superbike Championship moves back to Brands Hatch in England. Remember the last round when the locals challenged the established stars? Well their all back their again.
Media Release #1 – motorcycle sport – Can we peg back the Aussies?
The Suzuki Trans Tasman Challenge – 4/5 November – Pukekohe Race Circuit, in conjunction with LK500 Car Endurance Race, will see the first real competition between our neighbours for many years.
Top names from the Australian Formula Xtreme series are expected to front the four man Australian team to compete in the televised weekend of car & motorcycle racing at Pukekohe.
No. 1 Australian Road Racer Kevin Curtain will spearhead the team with his Team Yamaha R1 which won the 5 round Australian Formula Xtreme series earlier this year.
The 34 year old from near Newcastle, NSW has won almost every class of road race since turning professional in 1994, including major titles in Australian classes – Superbike, Supersport 600, and support races at the Australian Grand Prix. As well he has competed in England & Europe in the World Superbike support class Supersport, so we have here a very experienced, very competitive & talented rider.
Supporting Curtain from the same Team Yamaha, will be Craig Coxhell again on a Yamaha R1. Coxhell an 17 year old (turning 18 just before he reaches NZ!) from Shepparton, Victoria was 8th overall in the Australian Formula Xtreme series despite missing four rounds, winning 3 of the four races at the Broadford round.
Another rising Australian star is Damian Cudlin from Taree, NSW. Cudlin, just 17, was 7th overall in the Australian Formula Xtreme series, riding a Yamaha YZF R1. He was consistently in the top 5 of the events he rode, plus winning one wet race.
A group of about 12 Australian riders are expected for this first Suzuki Trans Tasman Formula Xtreme Challenge.
And from New Zealand?
Expect Tony Rees the Yamaha dealer from Kawerau to be up front. Tony, apart from being one of New Zealand’s top riders for many years, competed in all rounds of the 2000 Formula Xtreme Series placing 3rd overall. Tony will ride his Yamaha R1 which blitzed the field at the final round of the 2000 Suzuki Road Race Series, winning 6 out of 6 races.
John Hepburn from Timaru, about to make his debut on Honda will be a real force riding the new Castrol Honda VTR100 SP1. John rode the Isle of Man TT races again this year, as well as competing in all rounds of the Australian 2000 Formula Xtreme series, placing 6th overall.
At “home” on the Pukekohe circuit, we can expect many other New Zealand riders to provide real opposition to the “Australian Formula Xtreme invasion”.
Included in the motorcycle programme will be two classes of Sports Production – both 600cc & open class bikes – a 600cc Pirelli controlled tyre Sports Production class, plus the Trans Tasman Challenge, where the four fastest qualifiers from each country will form the teams.
More information, media information, up to date results & race reports for the event - contact Tim Gibbes, Phone & Fax (06) 353 0750, mobile (025) 422 662, e-mail : timgibbes@clear.net.nz. Website http://motorcyclesport.co.nz.
SHELL HELIX MOTORSPORT
SUNDAY 15 October TVONE 16.00 to 18.00
4.00pm The afternoon starts with the Formula 1 Grand Prix form Japan and what a show down the race was. If you have not seen it then now is the time and if you have its time to watch it again. The race for the title and the honour for Ferrari for getting drivers title again for the first time in 21 years. The second to last race of the season but the constructor’s title is still there to be had when the teams move on to Malaysia. The Japanese Grand Prix the scene of many magic moments in the history of Formula 1 racing.
4.45pm The Indylights are back and Scott Dixon moves closer to getting his first Indylights Championship. Along with that the step towards Champ Cars, in the season 2001 and the word is Scott will be there. From the streets of Vancouver the teams moved back to California and the seaside area of Laguna Seca a track made famous by that corkscrew turn. Dixons chase for the title continues.
5.25pm Rounding out the day and the local rally boys are back for the Rally of Rotorua and the end of a big season on the local rally scene. The Rotorua Rally now a round of the Asia Pacific Series for next year and teams been fully tested with a mixture of night and day stages make this a great way to round out the season and the drivers title.
