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MNZ Press Release:
GRP TWO ROAD SERIES CONCLUDES
Four Championships Decided
Teretonga was the venue for a full race meeting of Group One and Group Two of the National Road Championships this weekend. Despite a pessimistic weather forecast the meeting was held in hot sunny conditions
David Manuell (Auckland) is the new 250GP champion; he was by far the most consistent performer finishing 10 of the 11 races.
Consistency paid dividends for New Plymouths Terry Fitzgerald who retained his Formula Three crown finishing all 11 races in first or second.
He came, he saw and he conquered. Britain’s Midge Smart completed a clean sweep in the 125GP class winning the National Title, The NZGP and the NZ TT. Dominic Jones (Invercargill) was the best Kiwi, his six seconds and one win gave him the runner-ups place overall.
Seasoned sidecar campaigners Spike Taylor and Dennis Simonsen from the Wairarapa wrapped up what had looked to be a close point’s fight by winning all three races at Teretonga.
The Motorcycle Trader and News Group One Championship had its fourth round of six with 3 races in each class. In the Suzuki NZ Production Superbikes, Andrew Stroud (Auckland) made it nine wins in a row and set a new track record in the process. Ray Clee (Auckland) and Brian Bernard (Wanganui) have silver and bronze medals in their sights but Jason McEwen might be on their minds. McEwen, who is a former NZ Champion has got rid of the gremlins and is poised in fourth overall.
The Blue Wing Honda 600 Sports Production looks at this stage to be a Shaun Harris benefit although Harris was beaten for the first time in eleven races by Craig Shirriffs (Palmerston North). Harris has a healthy points advantage but he will be aware that with six races still to run Shirriffs could still press hard. Hayden Fitzgerald (New Plymouth) is migrating northwards in the points, eleventh after the first round he is currently fourth.
On Road Newcomer of the Year 2003, Karl Morgan had a high speed crash in practice which left him and Bruce Telford with fractures and hospitalization.
There is a short layoff until round five at Taupo on March 20/21st; the next major is the Paeroa Street Race on 22 February.
