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The introduction to New Zealand of \"Aussie Rules\" Formula Xtreme saw two Suzuki Hayabusa bikes run away & hide from the rest of the field, but not from each other.
Brian Bernard from Wanganui and John Hepburn from Timaru saw the two 1300cc missiles dart away in each of the 3 races, but neither rider would give in, treating the breathless crowd to a masterly display of wheel to wheel racing, Bernard coming out tops each time, but by centimetres.
Round one of the 2000 Suzuki Road Race Series held in beautiful sunny weather at the Manfeild circuit saw 124 riders divided into 10 classes kick off the seven round series.
The Pirelli Tyres Sports Production classes - divided into 3 classes - 600cc, Suzuki Gold Cup and Open Sport Production, saw last years 600cc class winner, Warren Turner on his Pirelli shod Yamaha R6 from Palmerston North win two races out of 3, besting Auckland\'s Glen Williams (Kawasaki ZX6R) in two of the three races. Turner commented his lap times are now faster and safer with the new Evo Dragon SC1 compound tyre.
The Pirelli Tyres Open Class saw Brian Bernard, this time on a Suzuki GSXR750 take 3 wins from Lance Lowe from Auckland on a similar bike, second and Tony Campbell (Yamaha R1) from New Plymouth third.
The series long battle between 125 GP and 250 Production bikes started all over again, with Wanganui\'s Steven Wright taking 3 clear wins on his Yamaha TZ125, Regan Griffiths (Honda RS125) from Palmerston North, while first 250 bike and third overall was Upper Hutt\'s Dean Russo (Suzuki
Again the Bay of Plenty boys dominated the Formula 3 Plus class, sponsored by Blue Wing Honda. Last year\'s class winner, Bill van den Hoven (Yamaha FZR400) took 2 wins of three from rival Glen Tanner on his Honda VFR400 who had one win, with Darryl Rowe-Mitchell (Yamaha FZR400) taking 5th, 3rd & 4th places for a third overall.
Injecting more fun at a lower price The Kawasaki sponsored Streetstock 150cc class saw several well known riders get behind a \"midget\" to very good effect. Wellington\'s Derek McAdam rode the pants of his Kawasaki KR150 to take two wins from similarly mounted \"Grampa\" Parr, with Wellington Malcolm Hanson flying the Suzuki RG150 flag for 3rd place.
Timaru\'s John Hepburn turned the tables on team mate Brian Bernard in the Shoei Helmet B Grade class, taking two of the 3 wins from Bernard, still on his GSXR750, while former Cantabrian Dennis Charlett rode his quarter size comparatively, Yamaha TZ250 into 3rd place.
The 2000 Suzuki Road Race Series is proudly supported by - Suzuki, Shaft Motorcycles, Blue Wing Honda, Kiwi Rider, Red Baron Motorcycles, Aprilia Motorcycles, Bike Mart, Kawasaki, Motorcycle Trade, RK Chain, Shoei Helmets, & the best Sports production tyre available - Pirelli.
