M1 BMW racer Rogan Chandler’s four race wins across rounds one and two of the Star Insure NZ Superbike Championship have him firmly cemented at the top of the Superbike standings, ahead of rounds three and four at Hampton Downs and Taupo Motorsport Park in March.
But the heat was firmly felt at the front of the Superbike grid with KMD Yamaha’s Al Hoogenboezem, Luca Durning (The Dentists BMW) and Dale Finch (KMD Yamaha) in a four-way battle at the front in all races. Making for a racing spectacle not seen in the series for some time.
Chandler executed a clean sweep and fastest lap performance last weekend in Invercargill, and a week earlier nabbed the NZ Superbike Grand Prix title in Christchurch.
However, he will have no time for complacency when he fronts for the third round, MotoFest, at Hampton Downs next month, where the four-way battle for the title will continue in earnest.
Hunter Charlett’s (Optima Chartered Accountants Yamaha) dream run in the 150 Supersport and 300 Supersport classes continued in Invercargill last weekend.
The Christchurch 15-year-old’s two pole positions and three-race wins in each class was a repeat of a week previously in Christchurch, though 150 rider Ryder Chamberlain pushed him hard and came so close to scoring his maiden national win.
Charlett’s 300 class rivals are tightly bunched on points and include Deigo Petrucci (Evolve Yamaha), Alvin Wu (Elevate Yamaha), Jakob Henderson (Yamaha), Chris Reynolds (Affordable Storage Yamaha) and Harriet Grace (Helicraft Yamaha).
Another enjoying the perfect start is KMD Yamaha racer Jake Lewis, who heads back to work in Australia after another 600 Supersport clean sweep – pole and three wins.
But keeping the pressure on are a bunch of chargers, including Ashton Hughes (Scott Structural Triumph), Seth Devereux (DevroTech Kawasaki), Haydn Fordyce (Elevate Yamaha), Karl Hooper (CH Automotive Ducati) and Jesse Stroud (KMD Yamaha)
A startline accident cut short the Sportbike and ProTwin programme last weekend, with the final race being declared void.
Earlier, Zak Fuller (Blue Wing Honda) and Tyler King (AVA NZ Aprilia) shared a win apiece, though Fuller holds the overall points advantage going into the third round at MotoFest.
Veteran Dennis Charlett (Optima Chartered Accountants Yamaha) continues to show his younger rivals winning pace and heads the class standings with a comfortable lead over Azlan Blackwell (Profile Metals Yamaha), Marcus Thompson (Top Cars Yamaha) and Vaughan Maine (Suzuki).
Spike and Bubba Taylor (LCR Suzuki) head the sidecar standings, but Barry and Dave Smith (LCR Kawasaki) made inroads into their lead at the weekend, while the Phil Law-Angus Ravenwood (Windle BMW) and Burt Wolland-Vaughan Maine (LCR Suzuki) combos continue to add pressure.
Provisional Points standings after two rounds – subject to official confirmation
Superbike
1: Rogan Chandler 133 points
2: Al Hoogenboezem 114
3: Luca Durning 108
4: Dale Finch 76
5: James Hoogenboezem 64
600 Supersport
1: Jake Lewis 152 points
2: Ashton Hughes 109
=3: James Fordyce 75
=3: Seth Devereux 75
5: Karl Hooper 65
300 Supersport
1: Hunter Charlett 151 points
=2: Diego Petrucci 71
=2: Alvin Wu 71
4: Jakob Henderson 68
5: Harriet Grace 64
Sportbike
1: Zak Fuller 117 points
2: Tyler King 81
3: Luke Ryder 74
4: Josh Goddard 65
5: Nixon Frost 63
ProTwin
1: Dennis Charlett 122 points
2: Azlan Blackwell 82
3: Marcus Thompson 81
4: Vaughan Maine 70
5: Megan Kemp 48
150 Supersport
1: Hunter Charlett 152 points
2: Ryder Chamberlain 120
3: Billy Macrae 96
4: Sam Mabey 74
5: Isabelle Smith 69
Sidecars
1: Spike & Bubba Taylor 129 points
2: Barry & Dave Smith 112
3: Phillip Law & Angus Ravenwood 101
4: Burt Wolland & Vaughan Maine 91
5: Dave McArthur & James Williams 63
Rogan Chandler records his third win at Teretonga, his fourth of the series so fdar and sits atop the Superbike Standings
The racing has been tight at the front in the Superbike Class
Luca Durning records his first race win in Superbike and sits third in the championship
Jake Lewis is unbeatable in the Supersport 600 Class this year
