Team Suzuki simply can’t wait for the weekend.
That’s when the New Zealand Motocross Championships kick off just outside Timaru and, judging by results in recent warm-up events around the country, more silverware could be heading across to the Suzuki enclosure this season.
Already bulging at the seams with outrageously talented riders, the Power Balance MotoGB Suzuki team also welcomes Australian star Daniel McCoy to its ranks for the four-round New Zealand series.
Mount Maunganui’s Cody Cooper heads the Power Balance Suzuki line-up and he will race the awesome Suzuki RM-Z450 in the MX1 class. McCoy will join Kiwi international Kayne Lamont in the MX2 class, the pair of them racing the Suzuki RM-Z250 machines, while Wanganui’s Tom Managh is charged with 125cc and under-21 class duties, campaigning the two-stroke RM125.
Mangakino’s Lamont had been due to head overseas this month but delays with the processing of his visa means he will fully utilise his time at home by using the New Zealand Motocross Championships series to continue his preparations to tackle the British Motocross Championships later in the year.
In addition to the four-rider Power Balance MotoGB team line-up, Mount Maunganui’s Rhys Carter also comes under the Suzuki umbrella for the first time this season, racing for the MotoGB Suzuki team. He will also ride a Suzuki RM-Z250 in the MX2 class.
In the weekend just gone, Cooper, Carter, and Managh each tasted success, racing at the stand-alone Valley Motocross Championships at Patetonga, near Morrinsville.
Cooper was untouchable in the MX1 class, winning all three races ahead of Rotorua’s national champion Michael Phillips.
Carter, in his first race in six months since being sidelined with shoulder injury, finished on the podium in the MX2 class, finishing 5-2-3 to finish third overall, behind the vastly-experienced King brothers, Darryll and Damien.
In the 125cc class, Managh was joined in the battle for glory by Waitakare’s Shaun Fogarty and by fellow Suzuki riders Dion Picard and Josh Jack. Fogarty won the day, with Picard, Managh and Jack claiming the next three spots, making it three Suzukis in the top four in the 125cc class.
“It was certainly a fantastic set of performances from the boys,” said Power Balance MotoGB Suzuki team manager Andrew Hardisty, of Mount Maunganui.
“Cody was simply dominant in MX1 and if he can go out and dominate like that it certainly puts his mind into a very strong place ahead of the nationals.
“Of course it’s great to welcome Daniel (McCoy) on board from Australia too. Actually, what is interesting is that Australian Suzuki team manager Jay Foreman will also be coming over here, so it’s like we will actually be Team Suzuki Australasia.
“With all the recent flooding in Queensland, Daniel hasn’t been able to do much riding. This trip will be great for Cody and Daniel to prepare themselves ahead of the Australian nationals later in the year.
“Everything is now in place for us for Timaru this weekend and all we need is a good day’s riding to show what we can do. It’s a very solid team; with a nice mix of youth and experience. I expect them to do well.”
After Timaru, the national series heads to Patetonga for round two the following weekend (February 27), with round three near Rotorua on March 20 and the fourth and final round near New Plymouth on March 27.
Credit: Words and photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
For Further Information Contact
Simon Meade
Motorcycle Sales Manager
e simon@suzuki.co.nz
