The 33 year-old got a bad start, on his Suzuki GSXR1000 but slowly but surely, he stalked early leader New Plymouth's Shaun Harris on a similar Suzuki and once he got past he was able to hold his lead.

Having also won the first points race, Stroud takes a substantial lead into round two of the championship on 18/19 Jan at Ruapuna.

But a lot of the off track action also had people talking.  Yamaha protested against illegal modifications on the winning Suzuki at the recent NZ 4 hour.  In the end that appeal was upheld, but only a $500 fine was put on the winning Suzuki squad.

The point of protest concerned the protrusion of a nylon bung from the rear axle. This was tapered to assist in the quick removal and re-installation of the rear wheel assembly which was contrary to rule (6) appendix (c) of the NZ production Rules as stated in the Motorcycling New Zealand Manual of Motorcycle Sport.

Apparently, some of the Suzuki riders were after some of their own back last weekend and appealed against a host of things on the Yamaha R1 piloted by Tony Rees. 

According to witnesses, the Suzuki riders approached Tony at the end of last weekend's round one and asked him to try and make their penalty less.  NB:  The penalty had not been handed down at this stage. 

Tony of course said no, so the Suzuki riders then lodged a swag of protests against Tony's bike last weekend.  The points of these protests included the airbox, steering head angle/triple clamps and forks.  This was all immediately inspected at the track and all items were found to be legal.

So basically it has ended up that Yamaha's original appeal was found to be correct and upheld while Suzuki's appeals last weekend were found to be incorrect and thrown out. 

Round One National Road race Championship

600 Sports Production Race 1
1) Shaun Harris, New Plymouth, Suzuki GSXR600
2) Dennis Charlett, Palmerston North, Suzuki GSXR600
3) Glen Williams, New Lynn, Suzuki GSXR600
4) Craig Shirriffs, Palmerston North, Yamaha R6 600
5) Jason McEwen, Palmerston North, Honda CBR600F4

Formula Three Race 1
1) Andrew Bolwell, Oamaru, Kawasaki ZXR400
2) Mike Edwards, Taupo, Kawasaki ZXR400
3) Dereck McAdam, Wellington, Kawasaki ZXR400
4) Carey Brier, Avondale, Honda VFR400
5) Jimbo Fulton, Mt Maunganui, KawasakiZXR400

250cc Grand Prix Race 1
1) Glen Jeffery, Birkenhead, TGJR250R
2) Matt Haliburton, Raumati, Yamaha TZ250
3) Rickey Porter,Takanini, RPR250
4) Bryan Edhouse, Invercargill, Yamaha TZ250
5) John Beck, Invercargill, Yamaha TZ250

Sidecars Race 1
1) Blaymires/ Sproull, Applecross Yamaha
2) Annan/Shorter, Steve Wells Chassis Suzuki
3) Law/Raavenwood, Yamaha 1000
4) Bowden/Hart, Kawasaki 1150
5)Wyeth/Mitchelmore, Spike F18

Production Superbikes Race 1
1) Andrew Stroud, Howick, Suzuki GSXR1000
2) Dean Fulton, Mt Maunganui, Suzuki GSXR1000
3) Shaun Harris, New Plymouth, Suzuki GSXR1000
4) Brian Bernard, Wanganui, Suzuki GSXR1000
5) Tony Rees, Kawerau, Yamaha R1 1000

Post Classics Race 1
1) Ross Buchanan, Manuwera, Suzuki GSX1100
2) Vince Sharpe, Torbay, Honda CB900
3) Robbo Robinson, Murray's Bay, Kawasaki Z1000

Classics Race1
1) Billy Mitchell, Bucklands Beach, Manx Norton 500
2) Gregory Pitches, Mt Wellington, Norton ES500
3) Ken McIntosh, Auckland, Manx Norton 500

125cc Grand Prix Race1
1) Steve Ward, Christchurch, Honda RS125
2) Daniel Ripley, Torbay, Honda RS125
3) Jason Easton, Foxton, Honda RS125
4) Cameron Horgan, Christchurch, Honda RS125
5) Jason Bardell, Honda RS125

600 Sports Production TT
1) Dennis Charlett, Palmerston North, Suzuki GSXR600
2) Shaun Harris, New Plymouth, Suzuki GSXR600
3) Glen Williams, New Lynn, Suzuki GSXR600
4) David Manuell, TeAtatu, Suzuki GSXR600
5) Corey Oxenham, Mt Maunganui, Suzuki GSXR600

Sidecar TT
1) Lovell/ Duthie, Hamilton, Yamaha 1000
2) Blaymires/ Sproull, Te Puke, Applecross Yamaha
3) Annan/ Shorter, Auckland, Steve Wells Chassis
4) Law/ Ravenwood, Gisborne, Yamaha1000
5) Wyeth/ Mitchelmore, Masterton, Spikes F18

Post Classics race 2
1)Robbo Robinson, Murray's Bay, Kawasaki Z1 1000
2) Ross Buchanan, Manurewa, Suzuki GSX1100
3) Vince Sharpe, Torbay, Honda CB900

Production Superbike TT
1) Andrew Stroud, Howick, Suzuki GSXR1000
2) Dean Fulton, Mt Maunganui, Suzuki GSXR1000
3) Shaun Harris, New Plymouth, Suzuki GSXR1000
4) Ray Clee, Kumeu, Suzuki GSXR1000
5) Tony Rees, Kawerau, Yamaha R1 1000

125cc Grand Prix TT
1) Jason Easton, Foxton, Honda RS125
2) Steve Ward, Christchurch, Honda RS125
3) Cameron Horgan, Christchurch, Honda RS125
4) Daniel Ripley, Torbay, Honda RS125
5) Paul Cook, Howick, Honda RS125

Post Classic TT
1) Vince Sharpe, Torbay, Honda CB900
2) Ross Buchanan, Manuwera, Suzuki GSX1100
3) Kevin Grey, Te Atatu, McIntosh BR1

Formula Three TT
1) Andy Bolwell, Oamaru, Kawasaki ZXR400
2) Dereck Mc Adam, Wellington, Kawasaki ZXR400

250cc Grand Prix TT
1) Glen Jeffery, Birkrnhead, TGJR250R
2) Rickey Porter, Takanini, RPR 250
3) Brendon Coad, Pakuranga, Yamaha TZ250