SUZUKI SERIES OFFERS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

N ew Zealand ’ s biggest stand-alone road-race series has undergone a make-over and it seems the high-octane action is about to get even more intense . This year ’ s 70th edition of the always-popular Suzuki International Series will see even more packed into the programme , the three-round series coming up this December offering riders and fans alike even more of their favourite features , plus a few more besides . “ While we have reduced the racing from two days to one at each of the early rounds , we will offer a practice day on the Saturday as a warm-up to racing proper on the Sunday ,” said series organiser Alan ‘ Flea ’ Willacy , indicating that this may help keep the costs down for many competitors . “ We have also taken the prize money and poured that back into reducing the entry fee , making this the cheapest the series has been for a long time . We want to ensure that , in these times of economic uncertainty and pressure , that there is an affordable option for all racers to compete and , more importantly , we want to encourage new riders to participate .” The 2020 Suzuki International Series will kick off at Taupo on Sunday , December 6 , then heads to Manfeild a week later , on Sunday , December 13 , and finally wraps up on the public streets of Whanganui ’ s Cemetery Circuit on Boxing Day . The iconic street race event in Whanganui on December 26 will again serve as the spectacular finale . “ We want all the classes to be full . The future success of the Suzuki International Series depends on the riders filling the classes and the spectators coming to watch them .” Willacy also announced that a Supersport 300 ( SP300 ) class would be introduced this year . “ Nearly 30 riders competed in the SP300 class in the 2019 edition of the New Zealand Superbike Championships and it produced some amazing racing . We look forward to introducing them to the Suzuki International Series as well . “ This class is growing fast in popularity and is a fantastic feeder class for our young riders . It is a class that has a great following in many countries and has a huge following on the world stage too , as a feeder class in the FIM SSP300 class . “ Entries will be open shortly , with the following classes offered : Formula 1 Superbikes , Formula 2 600 , Formula 3 , Formula sports / BEARS , Supermoto , Supersport 300 and GIXXER 150 Cup , Sidecars , pre 89 ’ s and , for Whanganui only , the classic sidecars class . “ We are in an enviable position in New Zealand , with spectators able to come and watch these events live . So , let ’ s show the rest of the world how we get behind our motorsport , put on your sun hat , slap on the sun-block and come and watch the best motorcycle racing that New Zealand has to offer . Tickets will be on sale shortly too ( simply follow the link on the www . cemeterycircuit . co . nz website ).” The 2020 race programme will start to take shape over the coming weeks and Willacy hopes to be able to reveal some hot names before the series ’ first race at Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park , near Taupo , on Sunday , December 6 .