Cemetery Circuit News

Close 600 Supersport Battle at Manfeild

The fourth round of the New Zealand Superbike championship was held in hot and sunny conditions at Manfeild on Sunday.

Three riders battled for the lead in the opening stages of the first Superbike race.

Defending New Zealand Superbike champion Robbie Bugden took the hole shot closely followed by Andrew Stroud, Craig Shirriffs and Hayden Fitzgerald. Castrol Hondas Shirriffs charged into second early in the race to split Bugden and Stroud’s dominating Suzukis.

Stroud then worked his way to the front of the pack and pulled a lead despite attention mid-race from Shirriffs, with Bugden riding the Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki close behind. Stroud took the win while Bugden made a pass on Shirriffs on the last lap to bring his GSXR1000 home in second.

Stroud lead the field away in race two with Bugden and Smith close in tow. Fitzgerald moved into third on lap two as the trio pulled a gap from a slow starting Shirriffs, while Smith dropped down the order after running wide on a corner. Shirriffs then picked up his pace and closed the gap to eventually pass Fitzgerald mid-race.

In the closing stages Bugden pulled out of the race with a technical issue, allowing Stroud to take the chequered flag unchallenged. Shirriffs was second with Fitzgerald third.

After a mixed day of results, Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki team manager Red Fenton said, “I’ve had three seasons which have been really good, so we’ll be at Hampton Downs to win both classes. The Superbike championship hasn’t been decided yet, unless something happens to Andrew Stroud, so we’re definitely going there to win.

It will be the first big race meet held at Hampton Downs, so it’d be nice to take two wins there, then we can carry on with the team racing in the Australian championship.”

In the ultra-competitive 600 Supersport class James Smith lead the first lap of race one from Glen Skachill. From lap two Wellington rider Skachill held his advantage until the chequered flag, with Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki rider Smith second. However both riders were penalised 20 seconds for an alleged jump start, handing the provisional win to Midge Smart. The penalty decision will be appealed.

Race two was shortened to just three laps following a crash, with half points awarded. Skachill took the win from Smart, with James Smith third.

James Smith said, “The day has been good, the bike is good, I’ve had no problems with anything. I’m looking forward to Hampton Downs, I’m going to put it all on the line as I have to finish in front of Nick.”

In the 125cc category Avalon Biddle won her first 125cc race this season, while Alistair Hoogenboezem took two victories to win the 2010 New Zealand 125GP title. In the F3 class Glen Williams earned two hard-fought wins from Jason Easton, who won race two.

Riders now take a one month break until the final round at Hampton Downs, on March 27-28, and the 600 Supersport championship remains wide open.

Provisional Results from Manfeild;
Superbike race 1: Andrew Stroud (Hamilton, Suzuki GSXR1000), 1; Robbie Bugden (Brisbane, Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki GSXR1000), 2; Craig Shirriffs, (Fielding, Honda CBR1000RR), 3; Hayden Fitzgerald (New Plymouth, Honda CBR1000RR), 4; James Smith (Christchurch, Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki GSXR1000), 5.

Superbike race 2: Andrew Stroud, 1; Craig Shirriffs, 2; Hayden Fitzgerald, 3; Sloan Frost (Cambridge, Suzuki GSXR1000), 4; James Smith (Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki GSXR1000), 5.

Superbike Series points; Andrew Stroud, 178; Robbie Bugden, 135; Craig Shirriffs, 113; James Smith, 108; Hayden Fitzgerald, 93.

600 Supersport, Race 1: Midge Smart (UK, Yamaha R6), 1; Nick Cole (Hamilton, Kawasaki ZX-600RR), 2; Sam Love (Tauranga, Yamaha R6) 3; Karl Morgan (Auckland, Suzuki GSXR600), 4; Dennis Charlett (Christchurch, Suzuki GSXR600), 5.

600 Supersport, Race 2: Glen Skachill, 1; Midge Smart, 2; James Smith (Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki GSXR600), 3; Nick Cole, 4; Karl Morgan, 5.

600 Supersport Series points; Nick Cole, 142.5; James Smith (Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki GSXR600), 140; John Ross, 118; Karl Morgan, 91.5; Jamie Galway, 71.5.

2010 Castrol Power 1 NZ Superbike Championship schedule;

Rnd 5: Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, March 27-28

ENDS

Words by Terry Stevenson

Photos:

James Smith leads Glen Skachill and Sam Love

Robbie Bugden in action at Manfeild

Credit: Andrew Bright, Championship Digital

For further information or high resolution photographs contact Terry Stevenson 027 505-1945,

Email; tappit@paradise.net.nz

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Feilding’s Craig Shirriffs and New Plymouth’s Hayden Fitzgerald are fired up after netting the top two steps of the podium, on their Castrol Honda CBR1000RR Fireblades at last weekends “Battle of the Streets at Paeroa.

The pair, currently 4th and 5th in the Castrol Power1 New Zealand Superbike Championship after a disastrous start to the season when both riders had crashes, plan to bring their success in the prestigious “King of the Streets” race last Sunday to the National series at Manfeild this weekend.

“We have the CBR1000RRs pretty well sorted and it is time to go after Robbie and Andrew,” said Shirriffs from this Feilding base this week.

Both riders consider Manfeild to be their ‘Home’ track so with four races to go in the series the Team Honda have a point to prove.

This weekend the Team will be joined by Honda Dealer riders Christchurch’s Ryan Hampton, who is currently 8th in the Superbike class on his Hampton Honda CB1000RR and Invercargill’s Jeremy Holmes, who is 7th in the 600 Sports production class on his southland Honda CBR600RR.

This Sunday February 28, Manfeild will be the Place to Be

Prepared by Motorsport Network Ltd

For more information contact Jim Tuckerman Ph 021 725 614

Photos by Rice Photography

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We started well today and we’re already very fast, so we’re quite happy about this. We’ve confirmed that the work we did at the last test was good and it’s clear we’re in good shape at this track. We worked on two or three different settings and today we’ve more or less made a decision about the right way to go with balance, suspension etc so this is good progress. We also tried some new electronic maps, to try to improve acceleration, but we need to do more work on this again tomorrow. It’s good to be fast at this stage and now we’re really just waiting to go to another track, to see how this new M1 will perform there. Tomorrow we will do a long run, maybe not race distance but just quite a few laps together, which will be the final part of our work at this track.”

Test Times

1. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Team 2′01.068

2. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro Team 2′01.219

3. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) Repsol Honda Team 2′01.631

4. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 2′01.687

5. Ben Spies (USA) Monster Yamaha Tech 3 2′01.843

6. Colin Edwards (USA) Monster Yamaha Tech 3 2′01.897

7. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda Team 2′02.036

8. Mika Kallio (FIN) Pramac Green Team 2′02.038

9. Alvaro Bautista (SPA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 2′02.078

10. Marco Melandri (ITA) San Carlo Honda Gresini 2′02.086

11. Nicky Hayden (USA) Ducati Marlboro Team 2′02.221

12. Hiroshi Aoyama (JAP) Interwetten-Honda MotoGP 2′02.419

13. Aleix Espargaro (SPA) Pramac Green Team 2′02.447

14. Hector Barbera (SPA) Aspar Team 2′02.485

15. Randy de Puniet (FRA) LCR Honda MotoGP 2′02.535

16. Marco Simoncelli (ITA) San Carlo Honda Gresini 2′03.254

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Honda Racing’s Road Race Team will return to the streets of the small Hauraki Plains township of Paeroa this Sunday (Feb 21) for the eighteen running of the annual “Battle of the Streets”.

Feilding’s Craig Shirriffs and New Plymouth’s Hayden Fitzgerald will both race their Honda CBR1000RRs in the traditional “Castrol” Green, Red and White on Sunday.

Shirriffs, who is known as a bit of a streets specialist is looking forward to taking the fight to his arch rival Hamilton’s Andrew Stroud on his Suzuki. The pair were battling neck to neck at Wanganui’s Cemetery Circuit on Boxing Day, until Shirriffs slid off at the pit corner, allowing Stroud to take the win in the second Formula Wanganui race and the lead in the series.

Paeroa’s Hacksaw Circuit is a lot faster than Wanganui, so Sunday should provide some spectacular racing for the 10,000 plus crowd expected.

Last year’s racing was delayed for several hours due to rain. The officials considered the track too slippery in the wet condition and waited till the track dried out to commence racing.

This year the forecast is for good weather, but everyone will still be watching the Skies on Saturday night.

“I really enjoy racing at Wanganui but Paeroa is something different. It is a lot more open and great deal faster,” said Shirriffs from his Feilding base this week.

Prepared by Motorsport Network Ltd

For more information contact Jim Tuckerman Ph 021 725 614

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Round 3 Report from Castrol Power 1 Superbike Road Race Championships 2010

Lap records fell in every class at Round 3 of the 2010 Castrol Power1 Superbike Championships at Levels Raceway Timaru last Sunday.The racing was witnessed by a large crowd of spectators , the largest seem at a motorcycle meeting at the South Canterbury circuit in years. Lap records were set and then broken in every class throughout the weekend. Official lap records at Timaru are now as follows:

Superbike:Andrew Stroud Suzuki 1.03.598

600SP:Nick Cole Kawasaki 1.04.809

F3: Jason Easton Aprillia 1.08.501

650 Pro-twin: Geoff Booth Suzuki 1.09.771

125GP: Alastair Hoogenboezem Honda 1.08.396

Sidecar;Steve Bron/Dennis Simonsen Suzuki LCR 1.11.512

Street Stock Johnny Small Suzuki 1.17.891

Motards: Leighton Selfe Honda 1.12.606

Clubmans: Mark Taylor Ducati 1.10.781

Photo: Championship Digital. James Smith Leads Nick Cole and John Ross during their titanic dual in the 600SP class at Timaru.

Christchurch’s James Smith has double the reason to celebrate after the third round of five in this season’s New Zealand Superbike Championships on Sunday.

The 30-year-old printer is the only rider to tackle two classes this season and he’s surprising even himself by standing on the podium in both of them.

At round three of the series at Levels Raceway, near Timaru, on Sunday, the Suzuki star finished 2-1 in his two 600cc sports production class outings, sharing the day’s overall honours with Hamilton’s Nick Cole (Kawasaki) and maintaining his six-point advantage at the top of the standings.

Smith then had “a pretty average day at the office” in his two superbike races, finishing only fourth and fifth, but it was still good enough for him to stay third in the standings.

“I simply ran out of energy in my second superbike race,” said Smith. “I’ve had a bad tummy bug and I’ve not been able to eat.

“But at least I hung on to third in the superbike class. That’s surprised me,” said Smith, a first-timer in the superbike class this season.

“I have been on the pace in the superbike class but just not able to keep it up for the whole day today.

“We have a bit of a break now, with round four at Manfeild next month, and I’ll just keep working away at my fitness between now and then.”

The battle continues to rage at the top of the superbike class with Hamilton’s Andrew Stroud (Suzuki) and Australian defending champion Robbie Bugden (Suzuki) again sharing wins this week.

The 13-point gap between Stroud and Bugden remains intact and it will come down to Manfeild and the fifth and final round at the new circuit at Hampton Downs in March to determine whether Stroud can push on to win his first superbike title since 2006 or whether Brisbane rider Bugden can overturn the deficit and claim his fourth consecutive Kiwi superbike title.

Changes were in the air in the Formula Three class with Jason Easton coming on strong at Levels, moving up to second in the standings.

Easton took his Aprilia Tigcraft bike to 1-2-1 results at Levels and is now within just 11 points of defending champion Glen Williams (Suzuki), while former champion Terry Fitzgerald (Suzuki), of Taranaki, slipped back to third overall.

A minor hiccup at Levels could not deny Dannevirke’s Geoff Booth (Suzuki) from maintaining his hold on the championship lead in the 650 Pro Twins class.

Booth won the weekend’s first two race but failed to finish the third leg and, although Christchurch’s James Hoogenboezem pounced to win that race, Booth remains in front in the championship chase, although now by just three points from Hoogenboezem.

Meanwhile, Hoogenboezem’s bother, Alastair, is still the man to beat in the 125GP class.

With Dunedin’s defending champion in the class, Tim McArthur (Honda), heading to the sidelines with injury at the previous round, Auckland teenager Jaden Hassan (Yamaha) took the opportunity to step up.

Hassan set a new lap record at Levels on his way to finishing third in the weekend’s first 125GP race. He backed that up with second and fourth placings in the next two races and this was enough for him to take over the No.2 spot in the championship, albeit still 69 points behind Honda’s Hoogenboezem.

In the sidecars class it was once again the Stephen Bron and Dennis Simonsen show with the Wanganui men taking their Suzuki-powered rig to another hat-trick of wins.

Bron and Stephenson now lead the championship by 34 points from Canterbury pair Dave Annan and Warwicks Demmocks (Suzuki).

Leading standings after round three of the Castrol Power 1 New Zealand Superbike Championships at Levels raceway, Timaru,
Superbikes:

Andrew Stroud (Hamilton, Suzuki) 128 points;
Robbie Bugden (Australia, Suzuki) 115;
James Smith (Christchurch, Suzuki) 86.

600cc Sports Production:

James Smith (Christchurch, Suzuki) 126 points;
Nick Cole (Hamilton, Kawasaki) 120;
John Ross (Christchurch, Yamaha) 97.

125GP:

Alastair Hoogenboezem (Christchurch, Honda) 200 points;
Jaden Hassan (Auckland, Yamaha) 131.
Eric Oliver-Maxwell (Christchurch, Honda) 112

Formula Three:

Glen Williams (Palmerston North, Suzuki) 194 points;
Jason Easton (Palmerston North, Aprilia) 183.
Terry Fitzgerald (New Plymouth, Suzuki) 153;

650 Pro Twin:

Geoff Booth (Dannevirke, Suzuki) 185 points;
James Hoogenboezem (Christchurch, Suzuki) 182;
Jason Cameron (Kaiapoi, Suzuki) 136;

Super Motard:

Hayden Scorringe (Dunedin, Yamaha) 168 points
John Crawford (Invercargill, Suzuki) 165;
Darcy Prendergast (Ashburton, Honda) 151.

Streetstock senior:

Jarred Pyke (Timaru, Kawasaki) 197 points;
Sam Davison (Christchurch, Suzuki) 126;
Phil Denovan (Christchurch,Suzuki)103.

Streetstock junior:

Johnny Small (Timaru, Suzuki) 201 points;
Anthony Singer (Canterbury, Suzuki) 146.
Seth Devereaux (Tapanui, Kawasaki) 133;

Sidecars:

Stephen Bron and Dennis Simonsen (Wanganui, Masterton) 150 points;
Dave Annan and Warwicks Demmocks (West Melton, Rangiora) 116;
Peter Goodwin and Pion Weedon (Bay of Islands, Papakura) 97.

Credit: Words by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com _________________________________________________________

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Next email: Post Race need to know sooner follow news online at www.nzsbk.co.nz .

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Lap Records Fall at Levels
James Smith retains his narrow 600 Supersport lead following a hectic days racing during the NZ Superbike championship at Levels, near Timaru on Sunday.

Smith took his Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki GSXR600 to win race two of the ultra-competitive Supersport 600 class. Kawasakis Nick Cole set a new lap record but ran off the track on the final lap yet managed to stay on to finish second.

Smith was second behind Cole in the opening heat after an intense battle at the front. John Ross was third in each race for Yamaha.

Smith, of Christchurch, rode double duty for the Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki Team but couldn’t repeat his Superbike class podium finishes from earlier rounds, posting a fourth and a fifth at Levels.

The racing was just as competitive in the Superbike category with Robbie Bugden and Andrew Stroud pushing each other to lap record pace.

A determined Bugden qualified his Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki GSXR1000 on pole. The defending NZ Superbike champion lead most of the race until lapped traffic handed Stroud the advantage, which the Suzuki rider held until the finish. Bugden was second with Craig Shirriffs third on a Honda. .

Stroud’s win stretched his series lead ahead of Bugden slightly. Bugden came out with guns blazing for the second race to cement his third series win from six races, but only after a final lap challenge from Stroud, who smashed the lap outright record. Both Suzuki riders finished almost ten seconds ahead of Shirriffs.

Bugden says, “It was a tough day with pretty fierce racing. In both races I’d be surprised if there was a spectator there that didn’t enjoy it!

“In the first race I was out in front trying to control things, a couple of things didn’t go my way with the lapped traffic and that left a dogfight between myself, Andrew (Stroud) and Craig (Shirriffs). I led all of the race but Andrew got the better of me in that one, I went up the inside of a lapped rider and he went around the outside of both of us, right at the end of the race.

“In the second race I got out front from the start and led most of the race. Andrew went past me on the second last lap, so I made a pass back on the last lap going down the back straight and into the fast left hander.

“I think Andrew is turning out to be one of the biggest rivals I’ve ever had! He’s probably one of the most underestimated riders in the world. He’s a good guy but once we get on the track it’s all business, and it’s time I need to start beating him, we really need to get those points back.”

The championship takes a four week break and resumes at Manfeild on January 27-28.

In the support races Alistair Hoozenboezem won the first two 125cc races while Eric Oliver-Maxwell took his first 125 win in the series. Jason Easton also won two of the three F3 races, as series leader Glen Williams earned victory in race two.

Results from Timaru International Motor Raceway, Levels;

Superbike race 1: Andrew Stroud (Hamilton, Suzuki GSXR1000), 1; Robbie Budgen (Brisbane, Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki GSXR1000), 2; Craig Shirriffs, (Fielding, Honda CBR1000RR), 3; James Smith (Christchurch, Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki GSXR1000), 4; Hayden Fitzgerald (New Plymouth, Honda CBR1000RR), 5.

Superbike race 2: Robbie Budgen (Brisbane, Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki GSXR1000), 1; Stroud, 2; Shirriffs, 3; Fitzgerald, 4; James Smith (Christchurch, Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki GSXR1000), 5.

Superbike points;

Andrew Stroud, 128; Robbie Budgen, 115; James Smith, 86, Craig Shirriffs, 77; Hayden Fitzgerald, 64.

600 Supersport, Race 1: Nick Cole (Hamilton, Kawasaki ZX-600RR, 1; James Smith (Christchurch, Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki GSXR600), 2; John Ross (Yamaha R6), 3; Glen Skachill (Wellington, Suzuki GSXR600), 4: Karl Morgan (Auckland, Suzuki GSXR600), 5.

600 Supersport, Race 2: James Smith (Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki GSXR600), 1; Cole, 2; Ross, 3; Morgan, 4; Jay Lawrence (Wellington, Yamaha R6), 5.

600 Supersport points;

James Smith (Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki GSXR600), 126; Nick Cole, 120; John Ross, 97; Karl Morgan, 75; Jamie Galway (Masterton, Honda CBR600RR), 62.

2010 Castrol Power 1 NZ Superbike Championship schedule;

Rnd 4: Manfeild, February 27-28

Rnd 5: Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, March 27-28

ENDS

Words by Terry Stevenson

Photos:

Valentino Rossi leads an entry list that includes six full-time rookies and no Kawasakis for the first time in eight years
The 2010 MotoGP entry list has been officially unveiled with 17 riders confirmed as full-time participants, one less than the total at the start of the 2009 season.

No surprises adorn the list, with eight factory-backed riders being flanked by a further nine satellite entrants, but while two new teams – Interwetten Honda and Aspar Ducati – will make their debuts in 2010, we have also lost Hayate Racing, Scot Honda and Grupo Francisco Hernando Ducati.

It means there will be one less rider on the grid in Qatar than there was at the opener in 2009, although there is hope that newcomers FB Corse and Inmotec – so far absent from the list – will make an appearance at some stage.

Meanwhile, there are no immediate sponsor changes, although Aspar Ducati and LCR Honda are currently without a title backer.

Also, several riders will change numbers in 2010, most notably Dani Pedrosa, who returns to #26 having held #3 for some years, while Ben Spies, who ran the #19 in World Superbikes has settled for #11 after seemingly losing out to Alvaro Bautista.

In all, six rookies will compete in their first full season this year – Spies, Bautista, Marco Simoncelli, Hiroshi Aoyama, Hector Barbera and Aleix Espargaro. Also, there will no Kawasaki on the grid since it first entered in 2002.

Full 2010 MotoGP entry list

4. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Repsol Honda Team
5. Colin Edwards USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3
7. Hiroshi Aoyama JPN Intrerwetten-Honda MotoGP
11. Ben Spies USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3
14. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP
19. Alvaro Bautista ESP Rizla Suzuki MotoGP
24. Marco Melandri ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini
26. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team
27. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team
36. Mika Kallio FIN Pramac Racing Team
40. Hector Barbera ESP Aspar MotoGP Team
41. Aleix Espargaro ESP Pramac Racing Team
46. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team
58. Marco Simoncelli ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini
65. Loreis Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP
69. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboto Team
99. Jorge Lorenzo ITA Fiat Yamaha Team

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Toni Elias, Alex de Angelis and Scott Redding are among the names on the 39-strong entry list for the inaugural Moto2 World Championship
A total of 39 riders will feature on a bumper grid for the inaugural Moto2 World Championship race in Qatar with a variety of riders from grand prix, World Superbike and domestic racing making up the entry list.

The much anticipated series, which takes over from the 250cc class, has attracted a total of 39 riders, 23 teams, 14 constructors and 18 nationalities for what promises to be an exciting first year of competition.

Leading the entry list are the MotoGP exiles, most notably former race winner Toni Elias, who will ride a Moriwaki prepared by Gresini Racing, but also Alex de Angelis, Niccolo Canepa, Gabor Talmacsi and Yuki Takahashi.

Former MotoGP Kawasaki rider Anthony West is also plotting a return to the grand prix scene in 2010, but is currently classified as a reserve rider.

Additionally, Fonsi Nieto, Roberto Rolfo, Claudio Corti and Yannick Guerra all make the move over from the World Superbike paddock, while a large proportion of familiar 250cc riders and 125cc graduates make up the rest of the field.

Of the 14 constructors set to enter, Suter is the most popular option, supplying bikes to a total of 12 riders, while Moriwaki is second with six entries. As well as Gresini, familiar team names also include Tech 3 – who will enter their own bike –, Scot Racing and Pons Racing, all current or former MotoGP teams.

From a British point of view, Scott Redding will fly the flag with the Belgian Marc VDS Racing Team having graduates from the 125cc class.

Full 2010 Moto2 entry list

2. Gabor Talmacsi HUN Speed up Aprilia Speed Up
4. Stefan Bradl GER Viessmann Kiefer Racing Suter
5. Joan Olive ESP Jack&Jones by A.Banderas Promoharris
6. Alex Debon ESP Red Bull Ajo Motorsport FTR
7. Axel Pons ESP Pons Racing Pons Kalex
9. Kenny Noyes USA Jack&Jones by A.Banderas Promoharris
10. Fonsi Nieto ESP G22 Holidaygym Moriwaki
12. Thomas Luthi SUI Interwetten Moriwaki Racing Moriwaki
14. Ratthapark Wilairot THA Honda SAG Suter
15. Alex de Angelis SMR Scot Racing Team Scot
16. Jules Cluzel FRA Forward Racing Suter
17. Karel Abraham CZE Cardion AB Motoracing RSV
24. Toni Elias ESP Gresini Racing Moto2 Moriwaki
25. Alex Baldolini ITA Caretta Technology Race Dept I.C.P
29. Andrea Iannone ITA Speed up Aprilia Speed Up
25. Raffaele De Rosa ITA Tech 3 Racing Tech 3
37 Fabricio Perren ARG Kino Racing Kino
39. Robertino Pietri VEN Italtrans S.T.R Suter
40. Sergio Gadea ESP Pons Racing Pons Kalex
41. Arne Tode GER Racing Team Germany Suter
44. Roberto Rolfo ITA Italtrans S.T.R Suter
45. Scott Redding GBR Marc VDS Racing Team Suter
48. Shoya Tomizawa JPN Technomag-CIP Suter
52. Lukas Pesek CZE Matteoni C.P. Racing Moriwaki
53. Valentin Debise FRA WTR San Marino Team ADV
55. Hector Faubel ESP Honda SAG Suter
56. Vladimir Leonov RUS Vector Kiefer Racing Suter
59. Niccolo Canepa ITA Scot Racing Team Scot
60. Julian Simon ESP Mapfre Aspar Team RSV
61. Vladimir Ivanov RUS Gresini Racing Moto2 Moriwaki
63. Mike di Meglio FRA Mapfre Aspar Team RSV
71. Claudio Corti ITA Forward Racing Suter
72. Yuki Takahashi JPN Tech 3 Racing Tech 3
75. Mattia Pasini ITA JiR Moto2 TSR
76. Bernat Martinez ESP Blusens BQR BQR-Moto2
77. Dominique Aegerter SUI Technomag-CIP Suter
88. Yannick Guerra ESP G22 Holidaygym Moriwaki
95. Mashel Al Naimi QAT Blusens BQR BQR Moto2
TBA. TBA TBA JiR Moto2 TSR

Reserves

Controversy surrounded round two of the NZ Superbike Series at Teretonga after an extra lap was run in the second Superbike race on Sunday.

A protest after the race upheld Australian Robbie Budgen’s second win in the closely-fought Superbike series.

In that 16 lap race Bugden made use of a good start however Suzuki rival Andrew Stroud slowly worked his way through the field to challenge and pass the Australian by mid-race distance. Budgen was never far behind on his Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki GSXR1000 but, after the white flag was waved showing one lap to go, while leading Stroud ran wide at the final turn, allowing Bugden through to take the chequered flag. Craig Shirriffs completed the podium in third position for Honda.

Bugden’s Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki Team manager Peter ‘Red’ Fenton said after the delayed results, “A little bit of luck came our way, they both raced to the flag, and Andrew made a mistake. Everyone was racing, it wasn’t as if anyone slowed down because they thought the race was over, you always race to the flag. The rule book says you have to race to the flag, and they called it on that.”

During the days opening 15 lap Superbike race Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki team-mate and leading 600 Supersport rider James Smith lead the first part of the race on his GSXR1000, until Stroud and Budgen forced their way through. Stroud went on to win the race just ahead of Bugden, with Smith third for a Suzuki clean sweep.

Fenton says, “We’d love to have it easier than this, we’d like a few things to go our way but we’re definitely still in the hunt with Robbie, and now James Smith has the points lead in the Supersport 600 class!”

James Smith took his first victory in the ultra-competitive 600 Supersport class.

In windy but fine conditions Smith was third to Nick Cole and John Ross in race one after a race-long battle. In the second heat however, Cole’s machine suffered a mechanical problem, allowing Smith to cross the line an easy first on his Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki GSXR600, ahead of Karl Morgan on a similar bike and Yamaha mounted Ross.

Smith also took over the 600 Supersport championship lead and holds a slender six point advantage heading into the third round this weekend at Timaru.

The battle will resume in the Superbike class at Levels as Bugden tries to close Stroud’s 13 point advantage.

Alistair Hoozenboezem remained unbeaten in the 125 class, while in the F3 category Jason Easton won the opening race and defending F3 champion Glen Williams won the remaining two races.

Results from Teretonga Park, Invercargill
Superbike race 1: Andrew Stroud (Hamilton, Suzuki GSXR1000), 1; Robbie Budgen (Brisbane, Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki GSXR1000), 2; James Smith (Christchurch, Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki GSXR600), 3; Craig Shirriffs, (Fielding, Honda CBR1000RR), 4; Sloan Frost (Cambridge, Suzuki GSXR1000), 5.

Superbike race 2: Budgen, 1; Stroud, 2; Shirriffs, 3; Smith, 4, Frost, 5.

Superbikes Series points: Andrew Stroud, 83; Robbie Budgen, 70; James Smith, 62; Sloan Frost, 58; Craig Shirriffs, 45.

600 Supersport, Race 1: Nick Cole (Hamilton, Kawasaki ZX-600RR, 1; John Ross (Yamaha R6), 2; James Smith (Christchurch, Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki GSXR600), 3; Jamie Galway (Masterton, Honda CBR600RR), 4; Dennis Charlett (Christchurch, Suzuki GSXR600), 5.

600 Supersport, Race 2: James Smith (Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki GSXR600), 1; Karl Morgan (Auckland, Suzuki GSXR600), 2; Ross (Yamaha R6), 3; Galway, 4; Charlett, 5.

600 Supersport Series points: James Smith (Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki GSXR600), 81; Nick Cole, 75; John Ross, 65; Jamie Galway, 55; Karl Morgan, 51.

2010 Castrol Power 1 NZ Superbike Championship schedule;

Rnd 3: Timaru International Motor Raceway, Levels, January 30-31

Rnd 4: Manfeild, February 27-28

Rnd 5: Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, March 27-28

ENDS

Words by Terry Stevenson