a shake-up at Timaru, with different riders standing
out this week (from the previous week at round one
in Christchurch), and there really are no clear leaders
in so many of the classes. The championship titles are
still wide open and that’s great for the competition
going forward.”
For superbike class leader Rees, however, Timaru
was also his farewell performance at home and he
shortly heads off to tackle the British Superstock 1000
championships, therefore committed overseas while
the Kiwi domestic series continues on without him,
the latter three rounds of the championships set for
the North Island in March and April.
With Rees gone, it means the scrap for the 2020
superbike class crown could become even more
intense, with just 33 points to separate the next
four riders in the standings after round two –
Hoogenboezem, Epis, Rangiora’s Jake Lewis and
Taupo’s Scott Moir.
Class leaders after the weekend’s second round of
racing at Timaru are Rees (Superbikes); Whanganui’s
Richie Dibben (Supersport 600); Whangarei’s Jason
Hearn (Supersport 300, provisional); Whangaparoa’s
Nathan Jane (650 Pro Twins); Taupo’s Andy Scrivener
and Tina McKeown (Sidecars); Invercargill’s Cormac
Buchanan (Supersport 150) and Nelson’s Tyrone
Kuipers (GIXXER Cup 150).
The Supersport 150 class, introduced for the first time
this year, offers significant potential for future growth
in the sport, representing an ideal starting point for
younger, less-experienced riders and encouraging
them to develop and grow their motorcycling skills.
Perhaps the superbike stars of tomorrow may come
from these ranks.
Meanwhile, Timaru’s Harry Parker repeated his Allan
Ramage Memorial trophy success from 2019 by
winning the special tribute event for a second time
on Sunday.
He scored 1-2-1 results to take the memorial race
honours ahead of Auckland’s Nathanael Diprose and
Hamilton’s Jacob Stroud in the separate series of three
quick-fire, three-lap races that wound up the weekend.
The threesome shared the race wins – Diprose
finished 3-2-1 in the three memorial races, while
Stroud finished 1-4-4.
Entries for the Allan Ramage Memorial races were by
invitation only, comprising the fastest 12 qualifiers from
the Supersport 300cc class.
2020 NZ SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIPS CALENDAR:
ROUND 3 – March 7-8, Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, North Waikato, Mike Pero MotoFest
ROUND 4 – March 28-29, Circuit Chris Amon, Manfeild, Feilding
ROUND 5 – April 4-5, Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park, Taupo
92 KIWI RIDER