Hoogenboezem has a 10-point lead over Lewis at this halfway stage of the championships, with Upper Hutt’ s Rogan Chandler( Yamaha) holding third position overall, albeit a massive 44 points further back. There is a new leader in the fledgling GIXXER Cup competition after 20-year-old Pukekohe rider Thomas Newton scored two wins and a runner-up finish at Timaru. This inaugural GIXXER Cup class is reserved exclusively for riders aged between 14 and 21 years and it is a seven-round affair, the first three rounds having been an integral part of the Suzuki Series pre-nationals competition, which wrapped up on Boxing Day, and it continues on as a feature of the four-round superbike nationals. Racing at Timaru was therefore considered the fourth of seven rounds, although riders will count only six of the seven rounds, each discarding their worst result. So Newton is the provisional leader only and it won’ t be until after the final round, and riders have had their points adjusted, that the trophy winner will be decided. Paeroa’ s Blake Ross is second in the provisional GIXXER Cup standings, with Whanganui’ s Tarbon Walker third and, sharing fourth spot overall are Greymouth’ s Clark Fountain and Taupiri’ s Zak Fuller( Kiwi Rider). Other class leaders after the second round of four in the national series are Tauranga’ s Regan
Thomas Newton
Phibbs( Supersport 300); Hamilton’ s Jordan Burley( 650 Pro Twins); Christchurch’ s Nick Cain( 250cc Production); Huia’ s Nathanael Diprose( Superlites); Rodney’ s Blayes Heaven( 125GP); and Auckland’ s Peter Goodwin and Kendall Dunlop( Sidecars). There will be an extended break now before the championship resumes, with North Waikato hosting round three at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, near Meremere, on March 3-4, before it all wraps up at Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park in Taupo on March 17-18.
Zak Fuller
KIWI RIDER 91