Summer Superbikes set to scorch
It’s bound to be another scorcher on the tarmac this summer with the New Zealand Superbike Championships expanded to five rounds, two events in the South Island and three north of the Cook Strait ferry terminal.
Last season's four-round series provided racers, sponsors, supporters and fans with edge-of-the-seat racing throughout the competition, but 2019 looks set to provide even more nailbiting fury, with an additional weekend of action to stretch raw nerves even closer to breaking point.
The 2019 nationals kick off at Mike Pero Motorsport Park, Christchurch, on January 5-6, with round two at Timaru's Levels International Raceway on January 12-13.
There is a month’s break before racing resumes with round three at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, near Huntly, on March 2-3 (incorporated into the popular MotoFest spectacular).
After that, the riders head to Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon, at Feilding, on March 30-31 and the series wraps up at Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park in Taupo on April 5-7.
Most eyes will again focus on the premier superbike class, where Wellington's defending champion Sloan Frost and Whakatane brothers Mitch and Damon Rees are perhaps expected to clash.
Others likely to challenge include Taupo's Scotty Moir, Glen Eden's Daniel Mettam, Christchurch brothers Alastair and James Hoogenboezem and Rangiora's Supersport 600 class champion from last season, Jake Lewis.
Several other riders, such as 48-year-old former multi-national superbike champion Chris Haldane, fellow Aucklander David Sharp and Taupo's Connor London, could spring a surprise or two.
It's a class overflowing with talent in 2019.
Similarly, the Supersport 600 class boasts incredible star power.
Waimakariri's Avalon Biddle finished third overall, behind Lewis and James Hoogenboezem, in the Supersport 600 class last season and has the capability to step further into the limelight.
However, several individuals could throw a spanner in the works. These include Upper Hutt's Rogan Chandler, Auckland's Nathanael Diprose, Manukau's Toby Summers, Feilding's Ashton Hughes, Te Awamutu's David Hall, Hamilton's Jordan Burley, Tauranga's Regan Phibbs, Christchurch's Dale Finch, Paraparaumu's James Barham and last season's GIXXER Cup frontrunner Tarbon Walker, from Whanganui.
Various other classes in the nationals this year are Supersport 300, 250 Production, Superlite, 650 Pro Twin, 125 GP, Sidecars and GIXXER CUP 150.
Motorcycling New Zealand roadracing co-commissioners Greg Percival and Grant Ramage said they were excited about the season ahead.
“There are a lot more points up for grabs this season, with the extra round now, and it's vital for riders to score well at each round if they hope
to win a title,” said Ramage.
“It's important for riders not to crash now, too. A rule brought in a couple of seasons ago means that riders may not just pick up their bike and continue after crashing.
“We have tightened up, too, on jump starts and we now video the starts to use as evidence of this.
“We have made some technological advances, with machines being examined regularly during the series to ensure there’s no tampering or cheating. And fuel is also being tested.”