The comeback is just about complete for Te Awamutu’s Mark Penny.
The Suzuki ace spent much of last season sidelined with injury and, in a sport considered the exclusive domain of the young and fearless, it seems remarkable that this 36-year-old businessman, a proud father-of-one, should be among those challenging for the ultimate prize, the outright championship in this season’s Suzuki New Zealand Cross-country Championships.
But that’s exactly where the outstandingly-talented Penny finds himself after three of four rounds in this season’s series, despite the fact that he’s racing a 250cc RM-Z Suzuki against many of his rivals on 450cc bikes.
Round three was held at Cheviot, just north of Christchurch, on Saturday, with Penny racing his way to third overall on the day.
Added to his earlier results – he finished sixth overall at round one near Blenheim at the start of April and third overall at round two near Waipukurau a week later – this places Penny second overall in the points standings.
With only three of the four rounds to count towards the championship – riders expected to discard their one worst result – Penny will obviously ditch his sixth-place finish.
“I’m obviously very happy to be in this position in the championship,” said Penny. “That’s especially so after not being able to compete much at all last season.
“The tracks have been quite fast and open and that’s really favoured the riders with bigger bikes and more horsepower, but, even with a stock standard RM-Z250 I’ve been competitive.”
Running an unmodified bike also means Penny has had to cope with using a smaller fuel tank than some of his rivals.
“A lot of guys are using bolt-on, larger-capacity, after-market tanks. That means I have to stop for fuel more often than them, but I’m just happy to be out there riding. I’m really enjoying it and, if I can win something too, that’s all just a bonus for me.”
Penny is also now on top of the standings in the battle-within-a-battle for class honours, 12 points clear at the head of the under-300cc four-stroke class rankings, with Mokau’s Adrian Smith his nearest challenger.
Penny has a handy buffer as the series heads to Taranaki for the finale on May 14.
In addition to Suzuki New Zealand, the series is also sponsored by DRD magazine and Hydraulink Fluid Connectors.
For further information contact Simon Meade Motorcycle Sales Manager simon@suzuki.co.nz
