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Castrol Power 1 NZ Superbikes Move to Timaru
Following an amazing opening round under the blazing Southland sun, the 2009 Castrol Power1 Superbike Championships now
moves to Levels Raceway, just outside Timaru, for round two this weekend January 17/18.
In the Superbikes, we saw Australia’s Robbie Bugden take two wins to lead the Championship on his Triple R Suzuki
GSXR1000, however he didn’t have it all his own way, with Hamilton’s Andrew Stroud (Suzuki), Feilding’s Craig Shirriffs
(Honda) and Queenslander Gareth Jones (Yamaha) hard on his heals, during the second race at Teretonga, the lead changed
five times in the fifteen laps. Others to watch will be New Plymouth’s Hayden Fitzgerald (Honda) and Auckland’s Ray Clee
(Suzuki), who both had forgettable weekends at Teretonga.
The 600 Sports Production was just as exciting, with two great battles between Christchurch’s James Smith (Suzuki) and
young Australian Gareth Jones (Yamaha), with Jones taking his Bernard Racing Yamaha to two wins, to lead the series.
Current champion Christchurch’s Dennis Charlett (Suzuki) was also in the skirmish, but crashed out of both the races,
leaving the way clear for Hamilton’s Nick Cole (Kawasaki) to pick up two thirds. Others in the mix are 2008 Pro-Twin
champion Auckland’s Karl Morgan (Suzuki) now on a 600 and Wellington’s Jay Lawrence this year campaigning a Yamaha.
The smaller classes have been dominated by a single rider so far.
In Formula Three it was Palmerston North’s Glen Williams (Suzuki), after former champion New Plymouth’s Terry Fitzgerald
(Suzuki), Foxton’s Jason Easton (Tigcraft Aprilia) and Westport’s Eric deBoer (Kawasaki) all had mishaps.
In the Pro Twins, this year Tauranga’s Sam Love has shown everyone a clean set of heals, but charging hard behind were
Dannevirke’s Geoff Booth and Blenhiem’s Neil Smith, all on Suzuki SV650s.
The 125cc Grand Prix class saw some remarkable racing from some of New Zealand’s youngest riders. Dunedin’s Tim McArthur
(Honda) came out on top, but right behind him were, Auckland’s Avalon Biddle (Honda) and Jaden Hassam (Yamaha),
Christchurch’s Cameron Jones and Nick Cain both on Hondas and Hamilton’s Kenneth Jones on his Yamaha. All five riders
are still in their teens.
This round, the circus is joined by the Sidecar boys. The field will include Tri-Series victor Australia’s Stacy Sellar
on Cemetery Circuit Organiser Leighton Minnell’s LCR Suzuki. Out to spoil his fun will be Wanganui’s Steve Bron (LCR),
along with Auckland’s Lawrance Brothers on their Anderson Yamaha and a field of over fifteen sidecars
Last weekend, we saw the Aussies come out on top, but this weekend things could be totally different.
Come to levels Raceway and experience as good racing as anywhere in the World.
ENDS