This year’s 16th edition of the Suzuki International Series for motorcycle road-racing is proving itself to be as popular as ever, perhaps even more so.
Rounds one and two, at Taupo and Manfeild respectively, these past two weekends have given bike fans, enthusiasts, supporters, sponsors and even the riders themselves plenty to salivate over and they’ve shown how highly they value and love the competition that they’ve shown up in great numbers to watch it live and personal.
“It’s been a fantastic series so far, with great racing throughout the classes,” said Suzuki International Series organiser Allan ‘Flea’ Willacy.
“The competition has been good. The weather’s been perfect and we’ve seen great crowds. The overseas competitors have not let us down and they’ve put on a great show.
“We’re all looking forward now to the final round.”
England’s Peter Hickman, the 2024 Isle of Man champion, takes a tumble in race two at Manfeild, round two of the 2024 Suzuki International Series, at the weekend, putting a massive dent in his formula one/superbikes campaign. We have absolutely no doubt he’ll bounce back at the Cemetery Circuit. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
The competition now heads for its much-anticipated finale on the public streets of Whanganui’s world-renowned Cemetery Circuit in just a few days’ time, on Boxing Day, December 26.
Class leaders after the second round of three in the 2024 Suzuki International Series at Manfeild last weekend are Whakatane’s Mitch Rees (formula one/superbikes class); Cambridge’s Morgan McLaren-Wood (formula two/Supersport 600); Auckland’s Tyler King (in both the formula three and Supersport 300 classes); Wellington’s Malcolm Beilski (Formula Sport, Senior); Whanganui’s Jeff Croot (Formula Sport, junior); Glen Eden’s Daniel Mettam (Post Classics, Pre 95, Senior); Tauranga’s Darrick Kattenberg (Post Classics, Pre 95, Junior); Hastings’ Gian Louie (Post Classics, Pre 89, Senior); Lower Hutt’s Dean Bentley (Post Classics, Pre 89, Junior); Panmure’s Adam Unsworth and Whanganui’s Bryce Rose (F1 sidecars); Whanganui’s Tracey Bryan and Auckland’s Kendal Dunlop (F2 sidecars); Whanganui’s Richie Dibben (in both the Supermoto and Adventure Bike classes).
The series will wrap up, as usual, in Whanganui on Boxing Day, including the Robert Holden Memorial (RHM) feature race, a prestigious race that was won by Mitch Rees in 2022 and 2023, by his late brother Damon Rees in 2020 and by their father Tony Rees on seven occasions (between 1990 and 2016).
The formula one/superbikes class leaders break away at the front at Manfeild, round two of the 2024 Suzuki International Series at the weekend. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
Other Robert Holden Memorial feature race winners in the past, who will also be racing in Whanganui next week include Taupo’s Scott Moir (the RHM winner in 2017) and Britain’s Peter Hickman (RHM winner in 2018).
The Suzuki International Series is supported by Suzuki New Zealand, Mondiale VGL, Auto Super Shoppe Tawa, Givi, I-Tools, Bridgestone tyres, Sharp As Linehaul Ltd Whanganui, TSS Motorcycles, Ipone, Inferno Design and Digital, Kiwibike Motorcycle Insurance Specialists, Cemetery Circuit Ltd.
DATES FOR 2024 SUZUKI INTERNATIONAL SERIES:
- Round 1, Taupo, Dec 7th and 8th;
- Round 2, Manfeild, Feilding, Dec 14th and 15th;
- Round 3, Whanganui’s Cemetery Circuit, Dec 26th.
© Words and photos by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ
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Check helmet strap! Yes you, right now! The instructions are clear as the sidecars class competitors start heading out onto the track at Manfeild, round two of the 2024 Suzuki International Series at the weekend. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com