2009 Suzuki International Tri-Series 
Tuesday, December 29, 2009

 

Stroud Wins Suzuki International Tri-Series

 

Andrew Stroud rode his Brother Suzuki GSXR1000 to victory in both F1 Superbike races to lift the premier class title for the second successive year.

 
F1 Superbike series podium. L-R. Hayden Fitzgerald, Andrew Stroud and Sloan Frost

Entering the final round at Taupo four riders were within just two points, however inclement weather conditions decided the outcomes.

 

The F1 Superbike riders went out for the opening race to a quickly drying track, crucially leaving several machines fitted with wet weather tyres. Castrol Hondas Hayden Fitzgerald passed Stroud for the lead at turn one, although Stroud pounced back almost straight away and was never headed until crossing the line first.

 

High drama followed Stroud however as Fitzgerald and Glen Skachill began dropping back on the by now almost dry track as their wet tyres quickly wore out on the abrasive Taupo track surface. A slow starting Craig Shirriffs withdrew his wet weather tyred Honda Superbike on the second lap knowing he cannot fight for the lead. His DNF opened up the title chase with one race remaining.

 

A fast-starting Sloan Frost rode his Suzuki GSXR1000 Superbike to threaten Stroud’s lead. Further back, Ray Clee took third by flag-fall on his first visit to the track to complete podium positions.

 

In the fully dry second heat Stroud immediately put a large gap between himself and the rest of the field to wrap up Suzuki International Tri-Series number two by race end.

 

Shirriffs came back from a slow start to move into second position mid-race, but couldn’t gain any significant ground as the leading riders circulated well under the lap record.

 

Behind Shirriffs a three-way battle developed for third position between Frost, Fitzgerald and Clee. On the final lap Fitzgerald moved past Frost to hold on to third, while Clee followed suit after Frost’s Suzuki began to slide with four corners to go.

 The final Suzuki International Tri-Series F1 Superbike standings were Stroud, Frost, Fitzgerald, Clee and Shirriffs.

 Stroud said, “It was definitely a successful weekend, we did the job and wrapped up the Tri-Series!”

Stroud failed to finish the series opening race at Manfield. “Craig ended up with two DNFs as it turned out. I pulled up beside him on the grid today in the first race, he had wets on and I had slicks on, and he shook his head. He knew that he didn’t have the right tyres – it was pretty dry with a few wet patches.”

Glen Skachill won the 600 Supers series by one point, although he was lucky to do so.

During the opening (wet) race a competitor collided with the Wellingtonian while exiting turn one, which pulled the front brake on - sending a slightly injured but lucky Skachill sliding along the track surrounded by speeding race bikes.

 Race two turned up a different challenge for the 19 year old. His rear tyre began deflating during the dry race causing full-lock steering wobbles along the straights as Skachill maintained control of his Museum Hotel Suzuki GSXR600. Skachill held on to finish sixth by just a quarter of a second – earning the hard way the single point required to clinch the title from a consistent Karl Morgan.

 Slippery conditions also affected the opening wet Supermoto race with Taupo’s Scott Moir showing Davide Gozzini the way home on his local track, followed by Scott Birch and Duncan Hart. Many riders were caught out with a wet front tyre and a slick rear, including Ivan Lazzarini, who was sixth.

 A dry race two brought yet another great Italian battle. Moir diced for the lead with ‘Speedy’ Gozzini until falling on the second lap, leaving Lazzarini to pip Gozzini for his first NZ win. Toby Summers brought his Aprilia SXV550 home in third position, ahead of Birch.

 Both Gozzini and Lazzarini enjoyed their New Zealand summer experience and may return next year. Gozzini said, “I was not so strong like at the Cemetery Circuit, but it was wonderful, Scott (Moir) rides very fast!

“In race two I pushed hard on Scott, but he fall down - I didn’t touch him, he fell down by himself. After this I relaxed and Ivan (Lazzarini) passed me, so I rode behind Ivan without a problem and thought that like this, I can win the championship. So for me it was perfect like this.

“I had a lot of good times here in New Zealand, not one bad race - not one bad thing, the bike also, it was nice!”

 

Sidecar battle with Steve Bron/Denis Simonsen and Adam Unsworth/Stu Dawe

Steve Bron/Denis Simonsen won both sidecar races. The rostrum positions were filled by the Chris and Richard Lawrance and Adam Unsworth/Stu Dawe combinations, in two thrilling races that saw each pair take a second and a third in their two heats.

Terry Fitzgerald won both F3 races to win that title, while Sean Donnelly won the Post Classic series. Donnelly won the opening wet race. German rider Patric Nussbaum finished second in the dry second race, behind race winner Michael Webster, with Donnelly third.

Of the large international contingent, Joel Reed was the most successful. He won the BEARS category (not run at Taupo) and was seventh overall in the F1 Superbike class on his fast Aprilia RSV4. Joe Carpenter put in some strong performances on his Suzuki RMZ450 to close his NZ Supermoto campaign eighth in the series. 16 year old Benny Endicott-Davies improved during the series and finished race one in twelfth position at Taupo.

Riding his Suzuki GSXR1000, Sloan Frost also won the BADD 3 Hour endurance race held on Sunday. Hayden Fitzgerald and Jeremy Holmes were second on a standard Honda CBR600RR while third was the Kaki Waenga and Jamie Galway pairing, on a similar Honda. 

Suzuki International Tri-Series overall positions, round three, Taupo:

F1 Superbikes: 1, Andrew Stroud (Hamilton, Suzuki GSXR1000); 2 equal, 38  Sloan Frost (Cambridge, Suzuki GSXR1000) and Ray Clee (Auckland, Suzuki GSXR1000); 4, Hayden Fitzgerald (New Plymouth, Honda CBR1000RR); 5, Paul Dobbs (Tuakau, Ducati 999); 6, Rhys Holmes (Katikati, Yamaha R1).

 

Final series points; Andrew Stroud, 122; Sloan Frost,108; Hayden Fitzgerald, 105; Ray Clee, 100; Craig Shirriffs, (Fielding, Honda CBR1000RR), 94; Glen Skachill (Wellington, Suzuki GSXR600).

 

600 Supers: 1, Jamie Galway (Masterton, Honda CBR600RR); 2, Sam Love (Tauranga, Yamaha R6); 3, Paul Dobbs (Tuakau, Ducati 749R); 4, Karl Morgan (Auckland, Suzuki GSXR600); 5, Craig Freethy (Wellington, Honda CBR600RR); 6, Glen Skachill (Wellington, Suzuki GSXR600).

 

Final series points; Glen Skachill, 105; Karl Morgan, 104; Jamie Galway, 100; Sam Love, 81; Craig Freethy, 75; Paul Dobbs, 69.

 

Supermoto: 1, Davide Gozzini (Italy, TM SMX450F); 2, Ivan Lazzarini (Italy, Honda CRF450); 3, Scott Birch (Rotorua, KTM 505SXF); 4, Duncan Hart (Tauranga, Yamaha YZ450F); 5, Toby Summers (Auckland, Aprilia SXV550); 6, Scott Moir (Taupo, Aprilia SXV550).

 

Final series points; Davide Gozzini, 136; Ivan Lazzarini, 126; Toby Summers, 114; Scott Moir, 113; Scott Birch, 93; Duncan Hart, 92.

 

F1 Sidecars: 1, Steve Bron/Denis Simonsen (Wanganui, Suzuki LCR1000); 2 equal, Adam Unsworth/Stu Dawe (Wanganui/Auckland, Windle Honda 1000) and Chris Lawrance/Richard Lawrance (Auckland, Yamaha R1); 4, Tracey Anderson/Astrid Hartnell (Tauranga/Wanganui, Yamaha DMR600); 5, Darren Pate/Karl Verdellen (Katikati, Suzuki 1100); 6, Brian Craig/David Cobain (Hawera, Mobuilt GSXR1100).

 

Final series points; Adam Unsworth/Stu Dawe, 134; Chris Lawrance/Richard Lawrance, 131; Des James/Darren Prentis (Suzuki Blaymires GSXR1000), 101; Steve Bron/Denis Simonsen, 97; Darren Pate/Karl Verdellen, 79; Tracey Anderson/Astrid Hartnell, 57.

 

Formula 3: 1, Terry Fitzgerald (New Plymouth, Suzuki SV650); 2, Jason Easton (Palmerston North, Tigcraft Aprilia 550); 3, Russell Josiah (Taumarunui, Suzuki SV650), 4 equal, Jette Josiah (Taumarunui, Suzuki SV650), Scott Moir (Taupo, Honda RSV450) and Neil Chappell (Bulls, Kawasaki ZXR400).

 

Final series points; Terry Fitzgerald, 147; Glen Williams, (Palmerston North, Suzuki SV650), 113; Scott Moir, 106; Ashley Payne, 82; Jason Easton, 80; Trevor Delany (Wellington, Suzuki SV650), 67.

 

Post Classics: 1, Sean Donnelly (Paraparaumu, Kawasaki GPZ1100); 2, Patric Nussbaum (Germany, Kawasaki ZX10); 3, Michael Webster (Wellington, Kawasaki ZXR750); 4, Brandon Reade (Rotorua, Honda XL500); 5, Ben Keller (Tauranga, Honda NC30).

 

Final series points; Sean Donnelly, 137; Michael Webster, 91; Murray Cross (Fielding, Yamaha FZR1000), 83; Paul Wooton (Waikane, Suzuki GSXR1100), 50; Steve Bridge (Hamilton, Ducati TT2900), 44.

 

ENDS

 

Words by Terry Stevenson

Photos: Andrew Stroud is hounded by Sloan Frost for victory at Taupo

F1 Superbike series podium. L-R. Hayden Fitzgerald, Andrew Stroud and        Sloan Frost

            Supermoto internationals Ivan Lazzarini and Davide Gozzini

 

Credit: Terry Stevenson

 

For further information or high resolution photographs contact;

Press, Terry Stevenson  027 505-1945, Email;  tappit@paradise.net.nz

Organiser, Leighton Minnell  027 444-4731, Email;  l8@cemeterycircuit.co.nz

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Italians Conquer Wanganui Cemetery Circuit

Italians Davide Gozzini and Ivan Lazzarini stunned a massive Wanganui crowd with an incredible display of riding skill during Wanganui’s annual Boxing Day motorcycle races.

Round two of the Suzuki Tri-Series was held in fine weather at the famous Wanganui Cemetery Circuit on Boxing Day.

The crowd held their breath as the Italian Supermoto riders zoomed past each lap, mostly sideways - often locked together, as Gozzini and Lazzarini slid their bikes into each turn at remarkable lean angles.

Lazzarini is riding a Blue Wing Honda supported Honda CRF450 while Gozzini rides a TM brand SMX450F. Both are world class riders, Lazzarini was third in the 2009 world Supermoto S1 championship and Gozzini was third in the world Supermoto S2 class.

 
Davide ‘Speedy’ Gozzini and Ivan Lazzarini wowed the crouds at Wanganui

But it was ‘Speedy’ Gozzini who took three wins from as many starts, each time just ahead of his countryman, during their first NZ street race, and first visit to the Cemetery Circuit. As they came to grips with the railway lines, painted white lines, manhole covers and bumps, the pair cleared away to show their true class.

Of the New Zealanders, Manfield winners Toby Summers enjoyed a pair of third placings, while Scott Moir filled the podium in race two.

The best of the large Australian contingent was 23 year old Joe Carpenter, of Brisbane, who crossed the line in eighth, sixth and seventh on his Suzuki.

Andrew Stroud won a competitive ‘Superpole’ on his Brother Suzuki GSXR1000, a new feature to the Cemetery Circuit. Nick Cole secured an incredible second position on his 600cc Kawasaki, less than 0.2 seconds behind Stroud. Third quickest was Craig Shirriffs on his Honda CBR1000RR Superbike.

If the Supermoto action wasn’t enough, the close racing in the premier F1 Superbike class left the crowd spellbound. Stroud earned two hard-fought wins for Suzuki against Shirriffs, and fellow Hamiltonians Nick Cole and Jared Love on smaller 600cc machines.

Shirriffs won the opening race but crashed in the second, missing valuable points which allowed Stroud to catch up following poor results at Manfield.

In an exhilarating Robert Holden Memorial race, Stroud made a desperate but successful last lap pass on Shirriffs for the win. Jared Love was third.

Heading into the final round at Taupo on Monday, defending series champion Stroud, and Shirriffs are now equal on 72 points each! Holding third and fourth equal are Hayden Fitzgerald and Sloan Frost, setting up a dream finale in the chase for the title.

Enjoying the rides of his life Nick Cole was unbeaten in all three 600 Supers races on his Red Devil Racing Kawasaki ZX-600RR, but not without race-long fights with Jared Love. Cole went on to cross the line ahead of Love and Glen Skachill on each occasion.

Sidecars are always a crowd favourite around the Cemetery Circuit and this year was no different. The Steve Bron/Denis Simonsen combination won races one and three on their new LCR1000 outfit, while Adam Unsworth/Stu Dawe took line honours in race two. Chris and Richard Lawrance were never far behind in each closely fought contest.

The race winner in the two ultra-competitive F3 class events was Terry Fitzgerald, while Sean Donnelly won all three of the Post Classic races. Australian Joel Reed rode very well during his second visit to the Cemetery Circuit, clocking up a BEARS win and a second placing to Paul Dobbs.

The final round of the action-packed 2009 Suzuki International Tri-Series will be staged on Monday December 28 at the Taupo Motorsport Park.

Suzuki International Tri-Series round two, Wanganui overall positions (the first two races count for points):

F1 Superbikes: 1, Andrew Stroud (Hamilton, Suzuki GSXR1000); 2 Nick Cole (Hamilton, Kawasaki ZX-6RR; 3, Jared Love (Hamilton, Honda CBR600RR); 4, Sloan Frost (Cambridge, Suzuki GSXR1000); 5, Hayden Fitzgerald (New Plymouth, Honda CBR1000RR); 6, Craig Shirriffs (Fielding, Honda CBR1000RR).

Series points; Andrew Stroud and Craig Shirriffs, 72 equal; Hayden Fitzgerald and Sloan Frost, 70 equal; Ray Clee (Auckland, Suzuki GSXR1000), 62; Karl Morgan (Auckland, Suzuki GSXR600), 50.

600 Supers: 1, Nick Cole (Hamilton, Kawasaki ZX-600RR; 2, Jared Love (Hamilton, Honda CBR600RR); 3, Glen Skachill (Wellington, Suzuki GSXR600); 4, Karl Morgan (Auckland, Suzuki GSXR600); 5, Adam Chambers (Hawkes Bay, Kawasaki ZX-6RR; 6, Paul Dobbs (Tuakau, Ducati 749R).

Series points; Glen Skachill, 90; Jared Love, 75; Karl Morgan, 69; Jamie Galway (Masterton, Honda CBR600RR), 53; Nick Cole, 50; Craig Freethy (Wellington, Honda CBR600RR), 45.

Supermoto: 1, Davide Gozzini (Italy, TM SMX450F); 4, Ivan Lazzarini (Italy, Honda CRF450); 3 equal, Scott Moir (Taupo, Aprilia SXV550); 3, Toby Summers (Auckland, Aprilia SXV550); 5, Jayden Carrick (Wanganui, Suzuki RMZ450); 6, Duncan Hart (Tauranga, Yamaha YZ450F).

Series points; Davide Gozzini, 92; Ivan Lazzarini, 86; Scott Moir and Toby Summers 81 equal; 5, Duncan Hart, 58; Scott Birch (Rotorua, KTM 505SXF), 55.

F1 Sidecars: 1, Steve Bron/Denis Simonsen (Wanganui, Suzuki LCR1000); 2, Adam Unsworth/Stu Dawe (Wanganui, Windle Honda 1000); 3, Chris Lawrance/Richard Lawrance (Auckland, Yamaha R1); 4, Dave Annan/Warrick Demmocks (Christchurch, LCR1000), 5, Peter Goodwin/Dion Weedon (LCR Suzuki GSXR1000); 6, Des James/Darren Prentis (Suzuki Blaymires GSXR1000).

Series points; Adam Unsworth/Stu Dawe, 92; Chris Lawrance/Richard Lawrance, 89; Peter Goodwin/Dion Weedon, 67; Stu Prentis/Chris Meads (Taranaki, Suzuki GSXR1000), 66; Des James/Darren Prentis, 65; Darryl Dowman/Ben Dowman (Wanganui, Yamaha R1 DML Special), 55.

Formula 3: 1, Terry Fitzgerald (New Plymouth, Suzuki SV650); 2, Glen Williams (Palmerston North, Suzuki SV650; 3, Scott Moir (Honda RSV450); 4, Bill van der Hoven (Tauranga, Yamaha FZR450); 5, Ashley Payne (Wanganui, Suzuki SV650); 6, Neil Chappell (Bulls, Kawasaki ZXR400).

Series points; Terry Fitzgerald, 97; Glen Williams, 91; Scott Moir, 74; Ashley Payne, 70; Trevor Delany (Wellington, Suzuki SV650), 53; Jason Easton (Palmerston North, Tigcraft Aprilia 550), 38.

BEARS: 1, Paul Dobbs (Tuakau, Ducati 999); 2, Joel Reed (Australia, Aprilia RSV4); 3, Mark Perry (Palmerston North, Aprilia RSV1000); 4, Jason Easton (Palmerston North, Tigcraft Aprilia 550); 5, Dwayne Bishop (Wanganui, Aprilia RSV1000); 6, Steve Bridge (Hamilton, Ducati TT2900).

Series points; Joel Reed, 91; Jason Easton, 76; Dwayne Bishop, 67; Peter Tanner (Palmerston North, Aprilia RSVR1000), 50; Paul Dobbs, 47; Mark Perry, 40.

Post Classics: 1, Sean Donnelly (Paraparaumu, Kawasaki GPZ1100); 2, Steve Bridge (Hamilton, Ducati TT2900); 3, Neil Chappell (Bulls, Kawasaki ZXR400); 4, Chris Bridge (Hamilton, Ducati TT2600); 5, Jay Lawrence (Wellington, BMW R75/5); 6, Chris Meads (Hawera, Suzuki GSX1100).

Series points; Murray Cross (Fielding, Yamaha FZR1000), 59; Michael Webster (Wellington, Kawasaki ZXR750), 52; Sean Donnelly, 50; Stephen Mossman (Yamaha FZR1000), 50; Steve Bridge, 44; Paul Wooton (Waikane, Suzuki GSXR1100), 42.

Suzuki International Tri-Series Schedule;

Rnd 3: Taupo Motorsport Park, December 28

ENDS

Words by Terry Stevenson

Photos: The Davide ‘Speedy’ Gozzini - Ivan Lazzarini sideways Supermoto show

             Andrew Stroud fends off Craig Shirriffs in an F1 Superbike race

 Davide ‘Speedy’ Gozzini and Ivan Lazzarini

Credit: Terry Stevenson

2009 Suzuki International Tri-Series  Saturday, December 19, 2009

 Shirriffs Shines at Manfield

The opening round of the 2009 Suzuki International Tri-Series kicked off in fine style and good weather at Manfield on Saturday.

Craig Shirriffs (#56) looks to pass team mate Hayden Fitzgerald (#61) who leads into the S bends , during the Suzuki Tri-Series in the big-bore F1 Superbike class after a pair of stunning rides on his Castrol Honda CBR1000RR. His success came despite suffering lingering injuries from a high-speed crash at Teretonga at last months Burt Munro Challenge.

During the opening laps race one looked to be an all-Castrol Honda affair as Shirriffs and team-mate Hayden Fitzgerald battled it out at the front. Defending champ Andrew Stroud started from the back of the grid on his Suzuki GSXR1000 but sliced through the large field to take tenth position by the third corner, and was already into fifth after one lap. The Hamiltonian continued his charge until a technical issue with an aftermarket rear wheel forced an early retirement.

Sloan Frost was the surprise package on his Suzuki GSXR1000 as the Cambridge rider gained a fine third placing to complete the podium. Frost finished ahead of Ray Clee and Glen Skachill, who stunned the Superbike riders on his smaller capacity but slightly modified Suzuki GSXR600.

Stroud came back from a slow start in race two to cross the line first, but not after a great battle with Shirriffs. Clee finished third on his Suzuki GSXR1000, closely followed by Fitzgerald and Frost.

In the 600 Supers races Glen Skachill blitzed the field on his standard-spec Museum Hotel Suzuki GSXR600, breaking the Formula 2 lap record in the process. The 19 year old Wellingtonian has only been racing in this class for one year and was never seriously challenged during his two races.

All eyes were on the Supermoto class - especially world class riders Ivan Lazzarini and Davide Gozzini. The Italians brought their ‘A’ game to Manfeild however Kiwis Toby Summers and Scott Moir prevented the international champions from taking victory.

Summers in the opening points race and then Moir in race two made full use of their bigger and more powerful Aprilias in two exciting races which saw ‘Speedy’ Gozzini and Lazzarini extend themselves around the corners then loose their advantage along the straights. An issue which shouldn’t be a problem on Wanganui’s short Cemetery Circuit