ROAD NEWS
NZSBK DECLARED AN ABSOLUTE SUCCESS
Zak Fuller( Centre) won the inaigural Sportbike Championship by one point from Tyler King( Left)
Rogan Chandler, Superbike Champion and inaugural winner of the prestigious Aaron Slight Trophy
Jake Lewis reigned supreme in the Supersport 600 class,
securing his 6th National Championship title Harriet Grace, a rider on the rise
The NZSBK Championship was, in pretty much every aspect, a roaring success. Mike Marsden, the man charged with the task of
building the series is not resting on his laurels though – he knows what needs to happen to build and secure the future of the game. Sure, record crowds and great racing are a fantastic place to be but getting bigger fields in the big-bike classes in the current economic environment is still a work in progress. Up front about the need to consolidate what is going well. Then do everything possible to help grow areas that need building up and adding new initiatives to add sparkle and draw in new crowds, competitors and sponsors. It has to be said, it looks pretty positive after seeing the spectators break the attendance records. Then there was the racing. It was great to see the level of competition throughout the classes. The blue-ribbon event saw Rogan Chandler take the honours – and a very funky and slightly disturbing trophy home at season’ s
end. The 3D trophy of Aaron Slight trapped in glass will be a talking point for friends and family and a motivation to try and repeat his NZSBK Superbike Champion next year. This year also saw the introduction of a ' one-make tyre ' rule, Bridgestone being the official tyre supplier. The background on this change was to make the playing field as level as possible, to make the effort from the team and the rider make the statement and keep the cost down as much as possible. One sad thing coming out of the series is the announced retirement from top-tier racing from the ever-consistent, smooth and fast, Mr Jake Lewis. With six titles to his name, Jake is pulling back from the front row and, no doubt, helping Avalon when she returns after injury in the WCR World Series. That and spending time with their young crew chief. So, things are looking good for road racing. The Motofest Bike Show will be back, legends and all. Get out and watch the action live next season.
KIWI RIDER 61