It is bound to be another scorcher on the tarmac this summer with the New Zealand Superbike Championships now expanded
to five rounds, two events in the South Island and three north of the Cook Strait ferry terminal.
Last season's four-round series provided racers, sponsors, supporters and fans alike with edge-of-the-seat racing
throughout the competition, but 2019 looks set to provide even more nail-biting fury, with an additional weekend of
action expected to stretch raw nerves even closer to breaking point.
The 2019 nationals kick off at Mike Pero Motorsport Park, Christchurch, on January 5-6, with rounds to follow at
Timaru's Levels International Raceway on January 12-13, then there is a month break before racing resumes with round
three at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, near Huntly, on March 2-3 (incorporated into the popular MotoFest spectacular).
After that, the riders head back down to Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon, at Feilding, on March 30-31 and, finally, the
series all wraps up at Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park in Taupo on April 5-7.
Most eyes will no doubt again focus on the premier superbike class, where Wellington's defending champion Sloan Frost
and Whakatane brothers Mitch and Damon Rees are perhaps expected to clash, while others likely to challenge include such
individuals as Taupo's Scotty Moir, Glen Eden's Daniel Mettam, Christchurch brothers Alastair and James Hoogenboezem and
Rangiora's Supersport 600 class champion from last season, Jake Lewis, to name a few.
Several other riders, such as 48-year-old multi-time former national superbike champion Chris Haldane, fellow Aucklander
David Sharp and Taupo's Connor London, could also spring a surprise or two.
It's certainly a class overflowing with talent in 2019.
Similarly, the Supersport 600 class boasts incredible star power.
Waimakariri's Avalon Biddle finished third overall, behind Lewis and James Hoogenboezem, the Supersport 600 class last
season and she has the capability to step further into the limelight.
However, there are several individuals who could throw a spanner in the works, including Upper Hutt's Rogan Chandler,
Auckland's Nathanael Diprose, Manukau's Toby Summers, Feilding's Ashton Hughes, Te Awamutu's David Hall, Hamilton's
Jordan Burley, Tauranga's Regan Phibbs, Christchurch's Dale Finch, Paraparaumu's James Barham and last season's GIXXER
Cup front-runner Tarbon Walker, from Whanganui.
The various other classes in the nationals this year are: Supersport 300; 250 Production; Superlite; 650 Pro Twin; 125
GP; Sidecars and GIXXER Cup 150.
Motorcycling New Zealand road-racing co-commissioners Greg Percival and Grant Ramage both said they were excited about
the season ahead.
"There are a lot more points up for grabs this season, with the extra round now, and it's vital for riders to score well
at each round if they hope to win a title," said Ramage.
"It's really important for riders not to crash now too. A rule brought in a couple of seasons ago means that riders may
not just pick up their bike and continue after crashing.
"We have tightened up too on jump starts and we now video the starts to use as evidence of this. We have made some
technological advances too with machines being examined regularly during the series to ensure there is no tampering or
cheating and fuel is also being tested."
The 2019 New Zealand Superbike Championships are supported by DHL Express New Zealand Ltd (DHL), Suzuki New Zealand,
Yamaha Motor New Zealand, Carl Cox Motorsport, ICG Print, Honda New Zealand, Pirelli, Resene Automotive and Light
Industrial, CTAS, MX Timing, BikeRider magazine, Trust Aoraki and Timaru District Council. Suzuki also supports the
GIXXER Cup.