Epic Grand Final
You’d have to say the sport was the winner at the final Round of the Suzuki – Auckland Motorcycle Club Series on Sunday 17 November at Hampton Downs. It was an epic Grand Final, with great weather, great fields, and great racing, making for an enjoyable day of action for (almost) all.
A couple red flags interrupted proceedings – the most serious incident being an engine seizure for Super Twin points leader, Brendon Vesty, in Race One for the Intermediate classes. He was on his way to hospital when his name was pulled out in the Lucky Draw Giveaway, for the new Suzuki GSX250. The cheer from the assembled crowd confirmed it was a popular win, to go some way to compensate for a tough day on-track – and Brendon was reported to be “chuffed” when his team did a return trip on Monday to collect the little Gixxer on his behalf.
In Senior, Formula Auckland has been the domain of Rogan Chandler, on the M1 Motorsport BMW S1000RR. Adding interest to the field for the final were Daniel Mettam (1995 GSX-R1100), and Sloan Frost (BMW S1000RR); along with Dave Sharp, having his first outing on the Team Rees Honda CBR 1000RR-R that he will be campaigning over the summer. Sharp took one win – but the day, and the season, belonged to Chandler, despite starting from pit lane in Race Two, to charge to 5th place.
The Supersport 600 season belonged to Tahana Parker (ZX6R), but Karl Hooper (R6) took four wins on the day in prep for his summer. And the other Senior categories were very close. Abbin Abraham (BMW S1000RR) got home by just 8 points over Ian Reed (BMW) in Formula Auckland (1:09s); whilst in Clubman Senior it was just 6 points separating Taylor Mason (R6) over Paul O’Doherty (Kawasaki). Six different winners across these two classes over the season demonstrated how competitive the Senior category has been.
Intermediate was similarly competitive. Brendon Vesty’s (Aprilia RS660) unfortunate accident allowed Luke Ryder (Aprilia) to take the Super Twin title. Just 13 points separated the podium in Post Classic Intermediate. Scott Fenton (GSX-R400) taking the Series, although Chris Nobbs (Honda NC30) got up for four wins at the final Round.
ProTwin 650 has been a stand out all season – with large fields and a mix of machinery; and this was reflected on the Series podium with Chris Defiori (MT07), Scott Findlay (SV650) and Billee Fuller (R7) ensuring this class is no longer a Suzuki whitewash.
SuperLite was a standout for a different reason – Tyler King 13-from-13 in a perfect season, making a dominant combination with the Gavin Veltmeyer GVR645.
The points probably don’t reflect just how intense the racing in Junior was over the Series.
Supersport 300 was a joy to behold. Haydn Fordyce (R3) enjoyed a small advantage over the trio of Double 6 Motorsport KTM 390s of Hamish Simpson, Cameron Leslie and Logan Rowell. And there was talent and battles right down the field.
While over in ProLite, Elijah Daken and Jacob Rutherford – both Hyosung GT250R mounted – entertained all season; with Seb Mitchell solid on the R15, to smash SS150.
Sidecars always pull the fans away from the food stalls, and Chris Lawrance / Richard Lawrance (LCR Suzuki 1000) and Phillip Law / Angus Ravernwood (Windle BMW 1000) took the Sidecar title to the wire – just 10 points the difference at Seasons end. The Lawrance Brothers getting there with a 5 wins to 3 advantage.
Rounding out the programme was long-time AMCC partner – Ken Dobson with the Carl Cox Motorsport Cup, who are celebrating their 14th Season of competition. They held their annual 1-Hour race, and Oliver Pykett teamed with Jesse Stroud to win the Ninja class by 33 seconds over Billee Fuller and Dave Sharp.
In the Hyosung class Esmond Williams rode solo for the win over Jacob Rutherford, who also rode solo to finish on the same lap.
In the Cup Series overall, Tyler King maintains a comfortable lead in the Ninja’s, while Scott Findlay and Elijah Daken continue to dispute the Hyosung lead – just 12 points separate the master and the apprentice after 13 races. Daken had a flat tyre in the 1-Hour, where Findlay was a DNF also!
The Carl Cox Motorsport Cup has two Rounds remaining in their Cup Series, coming up at MotoFest (Hampton Downs) and MotoMania (Taupo) alongside the NZSBK.
Auckland Motorcycle Club congratulates all our Club Series class winners, and we look forward to doing it all again next season.
Credit: Philip Kavermann
FINAL – 2024-2025 Suzuki – Auckland Motorcycle Club Series Points:
(After ROUND FOUR)
Senior: FORMULA AUCKLAND
236 Rogan Chandler
177 William Crosby
127 Matthew Drayson
Senior: FORMULA AUCKLAND B (1:09s)
212 Abbin Abraham
204 Ian Reed
165 Andrew Boldero
Senior: SUPERSPORT 600
206 Tahana Parker
110 Dillon Telford
100 Karl Hooper
Senior: CLUBMAN
206 Taylor Mason
200 Paul O’Doherty
107 Akira Miyauchi
