GROWING RACE CHAMPIONS
I
f you’ve ever wanted to go motorcycle
racing at places like Manfeild, Hampton
Downs, Taupo, Levels, Teretonga or Ruapuna,
you’ve now got the perfect opportunity.
Starting this summer, both the pre-nationals
Suzuki Tri-Series and then the 2018 New
Zealand Superbike Championships that follow
will include a class for “entry level” racing.
Called the GIXXER Cup – with the tagline
“Growing Future Champions” – the racing involves
riders hitting the race tracks on identical Suzuki
GSX150F bikes, an absolutely level playing field
for those starting out and on a limited budget.
If you’re between the ages of 14 and 21, then
being part of New Zealand’s newest class of
production racing is definitely the most exciting
thing you can do this summer – and it’s also a
springboard towards a successful racing future.
Ready to race at just $5995, the package
includes full Alpinestars race gear and Bell
helmet. These air-cooled, four-stroke, single-
cylinder, fully-faired GSX150F bikes have been
prepared in Suzuki’s workshop by Suzuki’s
national superbike champion Sloan Frost.
Fitted with Dunlop AL13 tyres and a host of
other hand-crafted race parts, the GSX150F is
delivered complete with a rear race stand.
“Our goal was to make this class not only one
of the most competitive but also inexpensive
for riders,” said Suzuki New Zealand’s general
manager Simon Meade.
With a proposed eight events over the summer
period, including the chance to win the inaugural
GIXXER cup, there is the added opportunity to
win over $5000 in Suzuki bonus money, along with
further prize money in the Suzuki Tri Series.
The bikes are incredible and each one is
supplied “ready to race”.
“We want to develop and encourage new riders
to come through the ranks,” said Meade.
“As the tagline suggests, we are wanting to grow
future champions.
“To start off with a competitive race bike, complete
with leather riding suit, gloves and helmet, bike
graphics and race numbers, and other goodies too,
all for just $5995, is a pretty good way to get going.
“We want to keep this class as competitive
as possible, with a level playing field for all
the entrants. This is where riders can gain
race craft without the inherent dangers of
high speed or the worries of high cost.
“This is where the future champions, the next
Sloan Frosts or Daniel Mettams of New Zealand,
will come from. The racing will be amazing, a
competition where to miss a gear could mean
losing four or five places on the race track.”
With as many as 20 or 30 identical bikes on the
race track at one time, and so much talent in
the Kiwi bike community just waiting to burst
free, this summer could be very hot indeed.
KIWI RIDER 67