 |
Controversy strikes NZ Superbike Series |
 |
|
|
Controversy strikes NZ Superbike Series |
|
|
Controversy strikes NZ Superbike Series Controversy surrounded round two of the NZ Superbike Series at Teretonga after an extra lap was run in the second Superbike race on Sunday. A protest after the race upheld Australian Robbie Budgen’s second win in the closely-fought Superbike series. In that 16 lap race Bugden made use of a good start however Suzuki rival Andrew Stroud slowly worked his way through the field to challenge and pass the Australian by mid-race distance. Budgen was never far behind on his Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki GSXR1000 but, after the white flag was waved showing one lap to go, while leading Stroud ran wide at the final turn, allowing Bugden through to take the chequered flag. Craig Shirriffs completed the podium in third position for Honda. Bugden’s Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki Team manager Peter ‘Red’ Fenton said after the delayed results, “A little bit of luck came our way, they both raced to the flag, and Andrew made a mistake. Everyone was racing, it wasn’t as if anyone slowed down because they thought the race was over, you always race to the flag. The rule book says you have to race to the flag, and they called it on that.” During the days opening 15 lap Superbike race Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki team-mate and leading 600 Supersport rider James Smith lead the first part of the race on his GSXR1000, until Stroud and Budgen forced their way through. Stroud went on to win the race just ahead of Bugden, with Smith third for a Suzuki clean sweep. Fenton says, “We’d love to have it easier than this, we’d like a few things to go our way but we’re definitely still in the hunt with Robbie, and now James Smith has the points lead in the Supersport 600 class!” James Smith took his first victory in the ultra-competitive 600 Supersport class. In windy but fine conditions Smith was third to Nick Cole and John Ross in race one after a race-long battle. In the second heat however, Cole’s machine suffered a mechanical problem, allowing Smith to cross the line an easy first on his Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki GSXR600, ahead of Karl Morgan on a similar bike and Yamaha mounted Ross. Smith also took over the 600 Supersport championship lead and holds a slender six point advantage heading into the third round this weekend at Timaru. The battle will resume in the Superbike class at Levels as Bugden tries to close Stroud’s 13 point advantage. Alistair Hoozenboezem remained unbeaten in the 125 class, while in the F3 category Jason Easton won the opening race and defending F3 champion Glen Williams won the remaining two races. Results from Teretonga Park, Invercargill Superbike race 1: Andrew Stroud (Hamilton, Suzuki GSXR1000), 1; Robbie Budgen (Brisbane, Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki GSXR1000), 2; James Smith (Christchurch, Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki GSXR600), 3; Craig Shirriffs, (Fielding, Honda CBR1000RR), 4; Sloan Frost (Cambridge, Suzuki GSXR1000), 5. Superbike race 2: Budgen, 1; Stroud, 2; Shirriffs, 3; Smith, 4, Frost, 5. Superbikes Series points: Andrew Stroud, 83; Robbie Budgen, 70; James Smith, 62; Sloan Frost, 58; Craig Shirriffs, 45. 600 Supersport, Race 1: Nick Cole (Hamilton, Kawasaki ZX-600RR, 1; John Ross (Yamaha R6), 2; James Smith (Christchurch, Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki GSXR600), 3; Jamie Galway (Masterton, Honda CBR600RR), 4; Dennis Charlett (Christchurch, Suzuki GSXR600), 5. 600 Supersport, Race 2: James Smith (Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki GSXR600), 1; Karl Morgan (Auckland, Suzuki GSXR600), 2; Ross (Yamaha R6), 3; Galway, 4; Charlett, 5. 600 Supersport Series points: James Smith (Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki GSXR600), 81; Nick Cole, 75; John Ross, 65; Jamie Galway, 55; Karl Morgan, 51. 2010 Castrol Power 1 NZ Superbike Championship schedule; Rnd 3: Timaru International Motor Raceway, Levels, January 30-31 Rnd 4: Manfeild, February 27-28 Rnd 5: Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, March 27-28 |