The wait is almost over! After six long weeks and plenty of weather you wouldn’t want to go racing in, NZSBK action is back to set the track alight for Mike Pero Motofest at Hampton Downs this weekend. The first two rounds at Ruapuna and Levels in January saw no shortage of drama, excitement and top-class racing. The Sundays were sunny, the vibe was good and the championship field put on a thrilling show for the spectators, whether they were trackside or watching via live streaming from holiday spots far and wide.
Our usual crew of MNZ Officials will be there to maintain the consistency and level of experience that has so increased the professionalism of the series this year. Steward Larry Mouat, Assistant Clerk of the Course Graham Bastow and Technical Officer Steve Maynard-Smith have committed most of their summer weekends (actually not just their weekends!) to deliver a fair, reliable and approachable official presence across the championship.
Presented by DHL Express NZ Ltd, Round 3 takes place at Mike Pero Motofest on 3-4 March. Bringing together all things motorcycling, Motofest is going to be huge. By combining the NZSBK Championship and support classes with invitational races, public track sessions and demonstrations from famous riders, the on-track action will offer a new experience of motorcycle racing for all, competitors and spectators alike. Off track there’ll be Moto Trials, Freestyle MX displays and public trail rides to maximise the two-wheel experience over the weekend.
Both Hampton Downs and MNZ, with the support of AMCC, see this new concept as the first steps in helping to re-invigorate motorcycle racing in NZ. We’re aiming to bring spectators back to the sport and put the NZSBK series back into the public eye, while showcasing the exceptional talent across all classes. Growing our following will encourage sponsorship of riders and events, ultimately benefiting everybody.
Designing the Motofest schedule was a challenge and we appreciate the constructive feedback from riders and teams, particularly those who got in touch directly to discuss their concerns and offer suggestions about how to make it work better. The biggest issue was the combination of classes, so we’re happy to confirm that the Superbike, Supersport 600 and 125GP classes will each run separately – the same race structure will be in place as the first two rounds. Check out the confirmed Mike Pero MotoFest NZSBK 2018 Schedule.
Creating an event as ambitious as Motofest for the first time is no easy task – massive thanks and kudos to the Hampton Downs team for their commitment to motorcycle sport. We’re all working to advance our sport and the NZSBK Championship field will showcase road racing at its finest, with a wrap-around experience for all to enjoy. See you on the weekend!
For information on tickets for the MotoFest weekend, hospitality packages, the legends dinner and camp sites, go to hamptondowns.com/hampton-downs-motofest.
Round 3 of the 2018 New Zealand Superbike Championship is brought to you by DHL Express NZ Ltd. The series is supported by Honda Cars, providing safety/medical vehicles, Pirelli tyres, Corprint, CTAS and MX Timing and the inaugural GIXXER Cup is supported by Suzuki New Zealand.