“ A QUICK REGROUP HEADING INTO THE FINAL LAP , I WAS FOURTH BUT THE LEAD WAS IN SIGHT
SLOAN ‘ CHOPPA ’ FROST
I t was a disappointing 2020 season for the Wellington Suzuki ace who ended up an unaccustomed seventh overall in this year ’ s abbreviated New Zealand Superbike Championship series , cut short by two rounds ( six races ) because of the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic lock-down . But that simply gave him spare time to consider the answer when we asked him what was his greatest race ever . “ If I had to pick the one race for me that really stands out , it would be the NZTT title race at Hampton Downs in 2015 ,” recalls Frost . “ Jaden Hassan ( Suzuki ) and I were battling for the lead early in the race when he crashed right in front of me on the exit of turn four . “ I had nowhere to go except right over his bike . As I was jumping through the air , I was sure I was crashing , but somehow I found myself still on two wheels somewhere out on the grass . “ A quick regroup and I was back on track , albeit in last position . The rest of the race I rode better than I ever thought possible , making pass after pass . “ Heading into the final lap , I was fourth but the lead was in sight . I managed to pass Nick Cole ( Kawasaki ) for second in the final turn and came within a tenth or so of a second from passing ( Australian BMW rider ) Linden Magee for the lead across the line . Close but no cigar .” Although neither Frost , nor fellow Suzuki rider Hassan , could claim the TT title in 2015 , the then 20-year-old Hassan did go on to win the national superbike crown that year .