Bay of Plenty ’ s Mitch Rees ( Motul Honda CBR1000RR ) dominated the premier Formula One / Superbike class and celebrated his first major wins of the 2023-24 season on Boxing Day
Mitch Rees had started the hectic day at Whanganui second in the series standings , just one point behind his vastly experienced father , but , when he qualified fastest around the tight and twisting concrete curb-lined street circuit on Boxing Day Tuesday , he ’ d quickly signalled that he meant business . The just-turned 31-year-old then raced away with back-to-back victories in the premier Formula One / Superbike class and that was trophy No . 1 in the bag , as outright winner of the Suzuki International Series , and also trophy No . 2 because this race was also for New Zealand TT title honours . Of course , he then lined up as favourite to win the ‘ best-of-the-best ’ all-classes Robert Holden Memorial feature race and wasted no time in stamping his authority there , enjoying a startto-finish win and crossing the line 1.6 seconds ahead of his 56-year-old dad , Tony . So that was trophy No . 3 for Mitch Rees and a perfect way for him to start his 2023-24
Tony Rees
season and for Motul Honda Team Rees to set themselves up for a glorious New Year ahead . “ My brother Damo won the Robert Holden race here in 2020 and I wanted to run with his number ( 92 ) on my bike today , instead of my No . 1 ,” he said , referencing his late sibling Damon Rees , struck down in the UK by a medical tragedy totally unrelated to the sport he loved
38 KIWI RIDER