KIWI RIDER 09 2019 VOL1 | Page 25

2019 SUZUKI SERIES DATES ANNOUNCED T he 2019/2020 road racing series officially kicks off this December with the first round of the 2019 Suzuki Series in Taupo. The first round of the 2019/2020 national motorcycle racing calendar is at Taupo’s Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park the weekend of December 7-8 with Round 1 of the annual Suzuki Series – AKA the Tri-Series. Following Round 1, the Suzuki Series then moves to the Manawatu with the second round taking place the following weekend (December 14-15) at the Manfeild Park circuit in Feilding. As always, the finale of the series takes place at the home of Suzuki in NZ – Whanganui – with the boxing day street race at the Cemetery Circuit. T The Suzuki Series isn’t just the kicking off point for the Kiwi summer of road racing. International racers from the Northern Hemisphere are often seen competing (especially at the Cemetery Circuit) during their offseason to remain sharp, with big names such as Michael Dunlop and Guy Martin among recent attendees. For this year’s series, Suzuki New Zealand is also giving away one of NZ’s top-selling bikes – the compact GSX150F in either road-going or full racing trim ready to tackle the supporting GIXXER CUP class which runs throughout the Suzuki Series and NZSBK Seasons. To get in the draw, all you need to do is get in on the action early by purchasing your tickets for any of the Suzuki Series rounds at ticketek.co.nz or by checking out cemeterycircuit.co.nz KIWI RACER CHRIS SWALLOW DIES AT CLASSIC TT ragedy struck the Classic TT races at the Isle of Man this year with the loss of Wellington Motorcycle Chris Swallow (37) during the Senior Classic TT race. Swallow was the 8th Kiwi to lose his life at the Isle of Man and the second person this year after Englishman Daley Mathison lost his life during the Superbike TT race in June. Swallow was an experienced racer having raced at the famous Mountain Course since the 2007 Manx Grand Prix, attaining a career-best 2nd place on the Isle of Man in 350 and 500cc races of the 2012 Classic Manx Grand Prix. In light of the tragic loss on one hell of a good guy, a givealittle page has been set up to help the Swallow family and cover ongoing costs. While the circumstances surrounding Swallow’s fatal crash remain unclear at the time of writing, we do know the incident occurred at the tricky Ballaugh Bridge section of the course where up to seven riders have reportedly died since the inaugural race on the island in 1907. To donate, head to givealittle.co.nz/ cause/chris-swallow-memorial- fund?fbclid=IwAR2sy6eqcw9uTtCxgR-xSLSRAVS_ VTigdN6t1J_olvXorUSw3weOdOb8iwo&fbclid=I wAR2sy6eqcw9uTtCxgR-xSLSRAVS_VTigdN6t1J_ olvXorUSw3weOdOb8iwo KIWI RIDER 25