Held over four events and comprising twelve races in January and March, the dust is settling on the 2018 NZSBK. With the season Champions crowned, following the final Round at Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park in Taupo just 2 short weeks ago, Auckland Motorcycle Club reflects on a selection of achievements, by a range of our Members who went in search of National success.
In Superbike, Sloan Frost secured a second premier category National title, having previously taken out the Superbike title in 2016. With five wins from twelve races, Frost was only off the podium three times, and took a clean sweep of the races at Round Two at Timaru.
After finishing 4th in 2017, Daniel Mettam improved one position in 2018, to close out the season in 3rd Overall. Five podiums – including a race win at Round One at Mike Pero Motorsport Park – was a solid result.
Second in the NZTT race at Hampton Downs was a highlight of the NZSBK season, after a torrid 4-way battle with Australian 5-Time NZ Superbike Champion – Robbie Bugden, Jay Lawrence, and Scott Moir. Arguably, it was the race of the Championship.
In Supersport 600, the racing was just as furious.
Avalon Biddle had a stellar campaign, to finish the season 3rd Overall, behind the Underground Brown Triumphs from the South Island. Biddle was a real threat on the familiar North Island circuits, taking five podiums over the final two Rounds – including an inaugural 600cc Class National win at Taupo.
It was likely the most popular win across the 2018 NZSBK.
Toby Summers was also back on a 600 in 2018, and would finish the season 5th Overall, with four podiums to his credit.
Sidecar stalwarts, the Lawrance Brothers, represented AMCC in the “chairs” – and Chris & Richard used their new LCR rig to take six podiums, including three race wins, to finish the season in 3rd Overall.
Newcomer Thomas Newton had the distinction of taking out the first “Gixxer Cup” for identical 150cc Suzuki machines.
Nine podiums, including five wins over the NZSBK was enough to top the points in the ultra-entertaining single-make class, which was making its debut on New Zealand race circuits over the summer.
However, the most successful AMCC member across the NZSBK for 2018 had to be Nathanael Diprose, riding a GSX-R450 Suzuki in Superlite, as he came back after an extended illness. Ten wins from twelve starts, with one further podium, it was an outstanding season, and a constructive rebuilding period for Diprose as he builds back to the 600’s.
Roll on 2019.
2018 NZSBK Championship Winners:
SUPERBIKE – Sloan Frost
SUPERSPORT 600 – Jake Lewis
SUPERSPORT 300 – Dennis Charlett
650 PRO TWIN – Jordan Burley
250 PRODUCTION – Nick Cain
SUPERLITE – Nathanael Diprose
125 GP – Blayes Heaven
GIXXER CUP – Thomas Newton
SIDECARS – Peter Goodwin & Kendal Dunlop
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