Carl Cox teams up with the World’s Fastest Racer Peter Hickman to bring TT hero to New Zealand race series!
Carl Cox Motorsport are excited to invite Isle of Man TT star Peter Hickman to ride one of their BMW S1000RR machines at the three-round New Zealand Suzuki Series this Christmas break! Considering himself a local resident over the winter, DJ Carl Cox has made it a mission to bring ‘Hicky’ over for the Kiwi race fans.
The tall English rider made his TT debut only four years ago but really came of age this season, taking two wins and smashing the overall lap record, with a devasting 135.452mph circulation on his Smiths Racing BMW S1000RR.
As big supporters of ‘real road racing’ and with a base in New Zealand, the team from Carl Cox Motorsport were very keen to bring the talented Burton-on-Trent rider over for their ‘home’ three-round series. Hicky has also had wins in the ultra-competitive British Superbike Championship, so his versatility on both short circuits and road events should hold him in good stead in the mixed discipline Kiwi series.
The series kicks off at the renowned Bruce McLaren Motor Park, where Carl Cox Motorsport help organise various track activities, before moving to the Manfield circuit for round two. Then on Boxing Day, the legendary Cemetery Circuit hosts the final event on the closed roads around Wanganui, a firm favourite with road racers from around the World.
Carl Cox Motorsport are readying a Superstock-spec BMW S1000RR and are liaising with Hicky’s UK crew for base settings for the machine. Alongside the three race events, the team are keen to show Hicky and his partner as many exciting Kiwi activities as possible, as they visit New Zealand for the first time.
Carl himself is looking forward to the traditional New Zealand end of year trio of events having visited several times previously. The renowned electronic music producer has a long-standing love of all forms of motorsport, giving support to teams and racers on 2,3 and 4 wheels, in both modern and classic racing. He once again made his pilgrimage to the Isle of Man TT this year to watch Michael Dunlop take Supersport victory on his Carl Cox supported machinery. The recent Philip Island MotoGP event also saw him meet up with racing legend Valentino Rossi to open Carl’s new venture near the circuit; the Inline 4 Cafe!
The event has a quality field including Austrian roads star Horst Saiger, New Zealand home heroes Sloane Frost, Scotty Moir and Kiwi MotoAmerica star Shane Richardson. Carl Cox Motorsport is also supporting other riders including Jay Lawrence (NZ) who they took to the Isle of Man for his debut at the Classic TT, Livio Zampieri (Italy) plus Tony and Mitch Rees (NZ).
Peter Hickman explained, “What a great opportunity this is; getting away from the UK winter, seeing New Zealand for the first time and racing motorbikes at some great new circuits! I’ve met Carl at the Philip Island Classic and Isle of Man TT and always been impressed with how he’s helped so many riders. He clearly does it for the love of it and guys like him are few and far between. So I’m mega thankful he’s taken an interest in bringing me over and supplying a bike to race on. We have Macau in a couple of weeks’ time and then I’m swotting up on the three circuits, whilst the team have already been in contact about bike set-up and even what branding I’d like on the bike. Obviously, we’re coming for the racing but we’re also really looking forward to seeing the country, we’ve heard so many great things about it, bring it on!”
Carl Cox commented, “After seeing Hicky demolish the TT course this year we thought it would be really cool to try and bring him over to the New Zealand series, so I’m well chuffed he’s agreed! I love New Zealand and there is so much passion for motorsport over there, the locals are going to love watching Hicky race as much as we will. We’ll also make sure he gets a great Kiwi welcome and see this amazing country whilst he’s here!”
2018 Suzuki Series Race dates
Round 1: Bruce McLaren Motor Park Taupo, 9 December
Round 2: Manfield Autocourse, 16 December
Round 3: Cemetery Circuit Wanganui, 26 December
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