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By Tim Gibbes:
Can Palmerston North’s Dennis Charlett put 3 wins together this Sunday at the Taupo Motor Racing Circuit?
Charlett has won several of the “A” Grade races on his Production Superbike GSXR1000 Suzuki, but until now 3 wins in a row has evaded him.
Dean Fulton from Tauranga on a similar bike has capitalized on Charlett’s misfortunes to lead the class overall by 64 points, while New Plymouth’s Terry Fitzgerald riding a DESL Suzuki GSXR600 holds 3rd place, just 8 points ahead of Putaruru’s Ronnie Dewys on an Aprilia “Mille” RSV1000.
This Sunday (August 11th) is the race action day at the Taupo Motor Racing Circuit for the 5th round of the Suzuki Championship Road Race Series. About 160 riders will take part in the 21 race programme on Sunday. Full on racing goes from 10.30am to 4 pm. Spectator admission is free.
During the race-day midday lunch break is an “expression session” when anything can happen!
Saturday (August 10th) is a public open day for motor cycles which includes coaching & practice.
The “Rent-a-Racer” Class still attracts attention. In this class of Suzuki SV650 bikes, some riders can rent a Brian Bernard Racing prepared bike, without the hassle of having to prepare & transport their own bike. Andrew Bretherton from Wanganui riding a Whitelock Suzuki leads this class narrowly from Bruce Hansen riding a Hawera Motorcycles SV650 by just 2 points, while Brendon Marshall commutes from Christchurch to each round in the series to hold a comfortable 3rd place.
Super Motard is the growing class in New Zealand now, with the final of the World Championship coming to New Zealand on November 17th. One of our seeded World Championship riders, Stephen Briggs from Auckland riding a special KTM 670cc Super Motard bike, leads the class comfortably with 194 points to the 121 points of Brendon Stephenson from Dannevirke (KTM520XC) & Te Aroha’s Kendric Younger (Kawasaki KX500) with 115 points. However, Briggs commitments to ride more World Championship rounds, will mean he will miss the final round at Manfeild so his lead will be narrowed down.
Super Motard bikes start off as Motocross or off road bikes, but maybe modified with road wheels & larger brakes, so the riding style of these bikes is very spectacular – legs out & big slides.
Other classes are B, C & D grades according to lap times, with 2 very popular classes Formula 3 Plus & Streetstock 150.
All 10 classes in the very popular series see close racing & big fields of riders and this Sunday at Taupo Motor Racing Circuit will be no exception.
