FROST WINS BADD 3 HOUR

A casual approach became a winning one for Waikato’s Sloan “Choppa” Frost in Taupo on Sunday.
The Waikato man took his Ambient Air Suzuki GSX-R1000 superbike out for “a little extra practice” at the Taupo’s Centennial Park race track and ended up surprising everyone, including himself, by winning the inaugural BADD (Bikers Against Drunk Drivers) three-hour endurance race.
“I wasn’t even going to do the race,” said Frost. “I was just going to use the event for a little extra practice ahead of Monday’s third and final round of the Suzuki International Tri Series.
“I pulled into the pits after a few laps to refuel and had nobody come to service me. I went out and did another lap then came back in and they were ready for me. They said I was actually running second in the race (behind the Suzuki team of Wellington’s Glen Skachill and Auckland’s Sam Smith) and said I should keep going.”
At that stage, Andrew Stroud’s Suzuki team was in third place and the Honda team of Hayden Fitzgerald (New Plymouth) and Jeremy Holmes (Invercargill) were in fourth spot.
“My crew then shot down to the service station to get some fuel for me for the next stop and that was it … I was officially in the race,” smiled the 28-year-old air conditioning installer.
“When I next gassed up I was a lap down on the lead bike but on the last lap I caught Fitzgerald and snatched the lead. I won the race, simple as that.
“I had only used one set of Pirelli tyres for the whole race too ... and they still looked like new at the end.
“Me and Hayden (Fitzgerald) were the only riders to complete 112 laps in the three hours.”
So, even though he was riding solo, Frost lapped down to third place.
“I used the mode sensor on the Suzuki and set it to ‘B’, to limit the power and save on fuel and tyres. It worked a treat,” said Frost.
Source: Suzuki NZ

STROUD BACK ON TRACK - RETAINS SERIES TITLE

Andrew Stroud is back on track.
Following a day beset by problems at the opening round of the Suzuki International Tri Series at Manfeild a week ago, Hamilton’s Stroud struck gold at the second round of the series on the streets of Wanganui on Boxing Day.
The Tri Series defending champion took his Suzuki GSX-R1000 to runner-up spot in the day’s opening race on Wanganui’s Cemetery Circuit on Saturday, “boiling brake fluid” forcing him to relinquish his lead to main rival Craig Shirriffs, of Feilding, but Stroud was unstoppable in the next two outings.
It was also the turn for Shirriffs to strike a little bad luck as he crashed out of the second superbike race, thus swinging the series advantage back in favour of Stroud.
The two men have now each recorded two wins, a second placing and a dnf in their four Tri Series superbike outings and it will go down to the wire at Monday’s third and final round at Taupo to decide the title.
In addition, Stroud won the coveted Robert Holden Memorial feature race, snatching the lead from Shirriffs on the final lap.
“Craig came past me early in the memorial race and then I got blocked by back-markers. Then he got held up and I lined him up on the last lap and passed him right on Suzuki corner. It couldn’t have been better really.
“I didn’t have a great weekend at Manfeild but it worked out for me here today,” said Stroud.
Wanganui pair Stephen Bron and Dennis Simonsen won the F1 sidecars class on their Suzuki LCR, while New Plymouth’s Terry Fitzgerald and Palmerston North’s Glen Williams resumed their dog-fighting from Manfeild as they made it a Suzuki 1-2 in the Formula three-class.
Defending national F3 champion Williams had the upper hand at Manfeild but it was arch rival Fitzgerald, on another Suzuki SV650, who ended up on top at Wanganui.
It’s looking like being another fierce battle between these two great riders in 2010.

----------------

STROUD RETAINS SERIES TITLE

A cool head and years of experience paid rich dividends for Hamilton father-of-seven Andrew Stroud on Monday.
It was a must-win situation when the Suzuki star arrived at Taupo’s Centennial Race Circuit for Monday’s third and final round of the Suzuki International Tri Series.
He was level in the points standings with arch rival Craig Shirriffs, of Feilding, after the pair had scored identical results at rounds one and two – at Manfeild a fortnight ago and on the streets of Wanganui on Boxing Day – but the deadlock was broken in the first of two races at Taupo’s finale on Monday.
The weather played a big part and seven-time former New Zealand superbike champion Stroud guessed right with his tyre choice in race one, opting for slick tyres while the more cautious Shirriffs picked grooved rubber.
The rain that threatened never arrived and Stroud was able to race away to a commanding victory while Shirriffs was forced to withdraw, his tyres not up to the pace.
"Then it started spitting again and that made it quite greasy, so I had to slow down," Stroud said.
But the points were already in the bag and sensible riding in the next outing was all that was required for Stroud to successfully defend the crown he won last year.
But Stroud raced to the lead and, although Shirriffs challenged hard, it was Stroud in front at the finish, the title staying in his hands.
Stroud said he now felt very well prepared for the New Zealand Superbike Championships, which kick off at Christchurch’s Ruapuna circuit o January 16.
For the pre-season Tri Series, Stroud won races at all three rounds, and also set lap records at Manfeild and Taupo, and then won the Robert Holden Memorial feature race at Wanganui.
Wellington teenager Glen Skachill (Suzuki) won the tri Series’ Formula 2 title and New Plymouth veteran Terry Fitzgerald (Suzuki) won the Formula 3 category.
Results from the Taupo international motorcycling tri-series races on Monday:

Superbikes:

• 1. Race 1: Andrew Stroud (Hamilton) Suzuki 1, Sloan Frost (Hamilton) Suzuki 2, Ray Clee (Kumeu) Suzuki 3.
• 2. Race 2: Stroud 1, Craig Shirriffs (Fielding) Honda 2, Hayden Fitzgerald (New Plymouth) Honda 3.
• 3. Series winner: Stroud.

Formula 2:

• 1. Race 1: Jamie Galway (Masterton) Honda 1, Paul Dobbs (Waiuku) Ducati 2, Sam Love (Taur) Yamaha 3.
• 2. Race 2: Love 1, Galway 2, Karl Morgan (Auckland ) Suzuki 3.
• 3. Series winner: Glen Skachill (Wellington) Suzuki.

Formula 3:

• 1. Race 1: Terry Fitzgerald (New Plymouth) Suzuki 1, Jason Easton (Palmerston North) Tigcraft-Aprilia 2, Russell Josiah (Taumaranui) Suzuki 3.
• 2. Race 2: Fitzgerald 1, Glen Williams (Palmerston North) Suzuki 2, Easton 3.
• 3. Series winner: Fitzgerald.

Source: Suzuki NZ

ITALIAN GOZZINI WINS KIWI RIDER CUP AND TRI SERIES

Words: supermotard.co.nz
There was no mistaking the Italian visitors class. With Italy's Davide Gozzini winning both the Tri Series Supermotard class and the Kiwi Rider cup at the Cemetery circuit races the local field were treated to some world class lessons.
After round one at Manfeild Gozzini(TM), along with fellow Italian Ivan Lazzerini (Honda) trailed Aprilia mounted Kiwi's Scott Moir and Toby Summers by a single point. The Italian pair had found the open spaces of Manfeild a tough place to compete against the powerful Aprilia's.
At the Cemetery circuit the pair turned the tables, breaking away from the field in a class of their own, Gozzini taking the series lead and KiwiRider Cup with slender wins over his countryman.
For the final round, Taupo's Scott Moir produced stunning rides on his home track. In the first, wet race Moir rode the conditions brilliantly to hold off Gozzini to the line, with Lazzerini and Summers a long way back from the battle at the front of the field.
In the dry race two, Moir again looked strong, blasting past the Italian pair on the front straight. Sadly Moir fell while entering turn four soon after, later commenting "I knew third place in the series would have been secure if I finished in the top three But that goes out the window when you're in contention for a win". The Italian show continued without Moir, Lazzerini taking the last race win, Gozzini the title.

SKACHILL UNBEATABLE AT MANFEILD

Wellington's Glen Skachill (Suzuki), in scintillating form at Manfeild on Saturday. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com

He may be only 19 years old, but Wellington fitter and turner Glen Skachill races motorcycles like a man with many years of experience.
In only his first season on board the Suzuki GSX-R600, Skachill is already clocking up wins with monotonous regularity in the 600 sports production class and he added another three impressive race victories when the Suzuki International Tri Series kicked off at Manfeild on Saturday.
Skachill took his Museum Hotel Suzuki GSX-R600 to the front early in each of his 600cc class outings and even broke the Manfeild lap record in one race as he went on to pocket maximum points from the weekend's work.
Skachill finished a solid eight points clear of Christchurch Yamaha rider John Ross and a further four points ahead of the third-ranked rider, Inglewood's Midge Smart (Suzuki).
Then, just to give himself extra track time, Skachill took his second bike, the lightly-modified Ozzy Performance spec GSX-R600 to race in the superbike class as well.
There he raced to fifth and sixth placing, to end the day fifth overall, just five points behind fellow Suzuki rider Sloan Frost (GSX-R1000), of Hamilton.
He now prepares for his first tilt at the national 600 sports production class title -- the five-round New Zealand Superbike Championships kick off at Ruapuna, Christchurch, on January 17.
"This will be my first full national championship campaign and I'm really looking forward to it," said Skachill.
"Of the South Island rounds, I've only raced at Ruapuna once before, so Levels (Timaru) and Teretonga (Invercargill) will be foreign to me. But I think I'm a pretty quick learner. I broke the lap record in my class at Pukekohe the first time I raced there."
Meanwhile, the formula three class looks like it will be another Williams and Fitzgerald show this summer.
Manawatu's Glen Williams (Suzuki SV650) and Taranaki's Terry Fitzgerald (Suzuki SV650) were hard to separate all weekend as they shared wins in the F3 class.
Third best in the class was another Suzuki rider, Wanganui's Ashley Payne.
"I'm going quicker now than at the same time last season," said F3 national No.1 Williams. "Terry pushed me all day and I can see he's going to be my biggest threat again this season."
Fitzgerald was also very satisfied with his racing on Saturday, his first outing this season.
"I have not done a lot of riding over the winter, so it was good to come here and blow the cobwebs out," said the 51-year-old Bell Block man.
"My lap times were competitive and I set the fastest lap time (in the class)."
Although Fitzgerald finished 2-1-2 to Williams' 1-2-1, it is Fitzgerald who leads the Tri Series standings (on count-back) because the third race was a non-points race.
"I think it's going to be very close between me and Glen this season, but I also think New Plymouth's Jason Nairn will be in the mix," said Fitzgerald.
Suzuki's Nairn was a non starter on Saturday.
Hamilton's Andrew Stroud, the defending Tri Series champion in the superbike class, had a weekend to forget.
He did not finish the first race because of a minor technical problem with his after-market rear wheel. He came back to win race two but is now forced to play catch-up for points through the rest of the series.
"It was an accessory wheel and the first time I've used it and there was a circlip missing," said Stroud. "It's very tough for me to catch up to (series leader) Craig Shirriffs now. But I'm thrilled with how the bike is going.
Source : Suzuki NZ

KING KENNY RETURNS

Cypress, California, December 17th 2009 - In a year that saw Yamaha riders James Stewart,
Valentino Rossi, and Ben Spies capture the perfect “trifecta” of World Championships, perhaps
one of the most memorable moments for race fans around the world, was “King” Kenny Roberts’
return ride at the infamous Indy Mile in late August.
As a year end surprise, Yamaha is pleased to offer race fans around the world a video of this
monumental occasion. The video features both archival footage from Kenny’s victory in 1975 as
well as the events surrounding this recent monumental motorcycling event.

Yamaha Motor Corporation U.S. wishes all race fans a safe, healthy and happy holiday season.

BIG BADD 3 HOUR FIELD

Motorcycle Racing stars to shine in support of Charities at Xmas

Riders support safe and sober decisions and Food-bank

Bikers Against Drunk Driving (BADD) are hosting its third Annual Rally on the 27th December this year. Departing from Tauranga, New Plymouth and Napier to this year’s destination – the BADD 3-Hour Endurance Race, Taupo International Motorsport Park. Riders who do not wish to participate in group rides are also encouraged to join us.
See www.badd.co.nz for more information.
Riders this year are invited to bring non-perishable food to the value of $10 to  Gate One Taupo International Motorsport Park in exchange for Free Entry into the 2nd BADD 3 Hour Endurance Race starting at 2pm, the feature race of the Taupo Road Race Spectacular, the final round of Suzuki sponsored International Tri-Series with a dramatic visual display of rivalry on show from NZ’s top riders, including amongst many, one of NZ’s legends of Motorcycle Racing, Andrew Stroud.
Free entry includes Free onsite Motorcycle parking, and Free overnight camping for spectators on the 27th December.  This event aims to provide entertainment for the whole family.
Spokesperson Jos Mason who started BADD, when her husband was killed by a recidivist drink driver along with two of his friends in 2007, said “We felt Xmas holidays were not only a good time to continue to raise awareness around the consequences of drink driving, reminding the community to use sober drivers, but was also an opportunity to assist the community food-bank, and families at a tough time of year”
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Jos Mason BADD Spokesperson
(0211396380)

MOTOGP ENGINES BIGGER FOR 2012

Words: Todd S
After managing 53 years without any changes, MotoGP (the preimer road race class) gets its third proposed engine capcity change in a decade.
In 2012 it has been decided that the main class will now be opened up to 1000cc machines. The bore will be restricted to 81mm, the number of cylinders to four.
Other details will be ironed out in the meantime, with some suggestions that a production based engine and free rein on chassis design, as per the new moto2 class, as a possibility.
MotoGP web link

MOTOGP RETURNS TO LITRE FORMAT FOR 2012

In new regulations published today for MOTOGP, maximum engine capacity has been increased to 1000cc, with a maximum of 4 cylinders and a bore of 81mm. Other moves to reduce complexity include limiting hydraulic or pneumatic equipment actuation to the valve train, specifically excluding engine oil from being used for anything other than lubrication or cooling.

The following statement was released by DORNA and the FIM:

“It was a very important meeting to decide the future of the MotoGP class,” explained Dorna chairman Carmelo Ezpeleta, quoted on motogp.com. “From 2012 the bikes will have an engine capacity of up to 1,000cc, have up to four cylinders and the maximum bore will be 81mm.

“It's a very important measurement, because with this we can have all the characteristics of the engine. This has been approved, and between now and the start of the 2010 season we will have another two meetings to define the rest of the specifications for this new class.”

“The main changes we have decided on are new rules for the MotoGP class,” added FIM President Vito Ippolito. “We will have four-cylinder engines, four-stroke of course, with a 1,000cc maximum. This base will give all the manufacturers the opportunity to start work. At the beginning of next year we will produce the new rules in a more complete format, but that is the basis. 2012 will be the year of a new era of MotoGP.”

FIM regulations for 2012 can be found here.

SUZUKI'S STROUD IS NO GENTLEMAN RACER

DECEMBER 9, 2009: He's an absolute gentleman to all who know him but, if Hamilton motorcycle ace Andrew Stroud has learned anything in the past few seasons, it's that he can't afford to be a gentleman on the racetrack.

"I simply can't afford to give an inch if I want to win the New Zealand Superbike Championships … it's as simple as that," said the softly-spoken 41-year-old father-of-seven.

A seven-time former national champion, Stroud (Suzuki GSX-R1000) has finished runner-up to fellow Suzuki star Robbie Bugden the past three seasons, but he believes now is the time to snatch back the No.1 plate from the Australian invader.

"I've got to treat every lap like it's the last one of the race … that's when I usually go best," he said. "I've just got to go hard from the start and maintain that speed throughout. There can be no slackening.

"I may be 41 -- and I turn 42 on New Year's Eve -- but I'm as fast now as at any time in my career. I just have the feeling that 2010 will be my season to win again. Robbie and the others had better watch out because I mean business."

And that's no hollow threat. Stroud has been in stunning form, in recent months, racing under the lap record at Manfeild as he tackled two rounds of the popular Victoria Motorcycle Club's Winter Series at the Manawatu race circuit.

"I’m going fractionally faster than last year, even faster at Manfeild that I was when I beat Robbie (Bugden) there last season … and I'm not even trying that hard yet," he laughed. "The new bike is just so good. It turns really well and is very confidence-inspiring."

Stroud is certainly likely to again be one of defending champion Budgen's biggest threats when the five-round nationals kick off at Christchurch's Ruapuna circuit on January 16-17.

Stroud will get his first crack at the top echelon of Kiwi and Australian superbike racers when he also races the 2009 Tri-Series, that frenetic two-weekend series set to open in just over a week, at Manfeild on December 19, with rounds to follow on the streets of Wanganui on Boxing Day and then at Taupo on December 28.

Stroud won the inaugural Pro Moto-sponsored Tri-Series last season, making him the favourite to repeat the dose this time around.

It is certainly going to be a busy couple of weeks for Stroud.

The Waikato ace will also line up his Suzuki in the Bikers Against Drunk Drivers (B.A.D.D.) three-hour endurance race being staged at the Taupo track on the intervening Sunday, December 27.

For that event he will team up with fellow Hamilton rider Sloan Frost and 53-year-old five-time former Australian superbike champion Robbie Phillis, the trio sharing the riding duties for the marathon race.

Wellington's Glen Skachill Auckland's Jason McCamish teamed up on a Suzuki GSX-R600 to win the inaugural three-hour event last year.

"I'm really pumped for this season," said Stroud. "I am feeling a lot fitter this season too. I have been in the gym and running and swimming, but also doing a bit of BMX racing too. I take my kids with me to race BMX on Wednesday nights. It's a great fitness experience workout and pretty good fun too.

"At some stages in the superbike racing last season I'd want to put my head down and go hard but I didn't really have the fitness to maintain that. It'll be a different story this season."

Source: Suzuki NZ. 

 
Andrew in Action at the Burt Munro Challenge. Our full BMC set is here.