The new partnership between Kiwi Motorsports Development (KMD) Racing and the Altherm Yamaha Racing Team began with a positive season-opening event at the Suzuki International Series’ first round.
Under the guidance of experienced Team Manager Grant Shivas, the two-rider Altherm Yamaha Racing Team (YRT) Alastair Hoogenboezem and Jake Lewis, plus supported rider Dale Finch, got back amongst the road racing action at Taupo International Motorsport Park over the weekend.
Lewis, who is now based in Brisbane, showed that his racing skills haven’t gotten rusty following his year off the track, by winning the Supersport 600 class on his Yamaha YZF-R6.
“It was a really good weekend, with the first success, snagging pole at Saturday’s qualifying, followed by a race win for the opening race that afternoon,” he says.
After making some small improvements to the bike overnight on Saturday, Lewis was able to run at maximum pace throughout the next day’s races.
“On Sunday, I was happy to finish a close second in Race 2 after a great battle and then got the win back again in the last race of the day. Big thank you to the whole team for their efforts – it was a great start to the season.”
Auckland-based Hoogenboezem also came away from the weekend with plenty of positives to report. He faced some stiff competition in his Superbike class, which included two British Isle of Man race winners Davey Todd and Peter Hickman.
“I was improving every session and managed to get a PB lap time,” Hoogenbooezem says.
His weekend started with a fifth place qualifying spot on the grid, and he then moved up a spot in the first race to finish fourth.
“On Sunday’s race day, we took away fifth and fourth place. Although I didn’t manage a podium result, I’m really happy with how myself, the team, and my Yamaha YZF-R1 are working. I’m looking forward to the next round this coming weekend and continuing our steady progress. Congrats to Dale and Jake for a solid start to the race season and massive thanks to the team and sponsors for making it all happen.”
For Christchurch’s Shivas, it was his first race meeting representing Yamaha as the Team Manager.
“I was really impressed with the riders and the team. Everyone was working really well with each other on and off the track – the atmosphere is amazing! I couldn’t be happier with how the team went,” he says.
“Jake had a solid first round on the Yamaha R6, securing the round win. I was also really impressed with Alastair and seeing his personal best time was a sign of things to come. That he is knocking on the door of a podium, is encouraging.”
“Dale had a very strong weekend, going from strength to strength. He had a change to the suspension for the last race that saw him go backwards unfortunately, but once again, seeing personal best lap times is all you can ask for.”
“In general, all our Yamaha riders went faster than they ever have at Taupo, so it’s a win for me and the team. I really appreciate the opportunity to represent Altherm, Josh Coppins and the Yamaha brand,” Shivas wraps up.
Pics: ASP (Aaron Staples Photography)
This weekend (December 14 to 15) the Suzuki International Series heads to Manfeild for round two.
Suzuki Series Round One Results:
F1/Superbike
1st Mitch Rees – 73
2nd Davey Todd – 69
3rd Tony Rees – 60
4th Alastair Hoogenboezem (YZF-R1) – 52
7th Dave Finch (YZF-R1) – 42
F2/Supersport 600
1st Jake Lewis (YZF-R6) – 73
2nd Luca Durning – 69
3rd Morgan McLaren-Wood – 60
2024-2025 Altherm Yamaha Racing Team Calendar:
Suzuki International Series Round 1 @Taupo 7 – 8th Dec 2024
Suzuki International Series Round 2 @ Manfeild 14 – 15 Dec 2024
NZ Superbike Championship Round 1 @ Teretonga on 7-8-9- February 2025
NZ Superbike Championship Round 2 @ Levels on 13-14-15 February 2025
NZ Superbike Championship Round 3 @ Hampton Downs on 7-8-9 March 2025 with MotoFest
NZ Superbike Championship Round 4 @ Taupo on 14-15-16 March 2025
ALTHERM YAMAHA RACING TEAM (YRT) WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS:
Altherm Window Systems, Yamaha Motor NZ, Kiwi Motorsport Development, Ward Demolition, Yamalube, GYTR, bLU cRU, YMF, YMI, Akrapovic, Pirelli, Race Supplies, GB Racing, JCR, Hughes Transport, Holland Collision Centre, Workshop Graphics & Sprint Filter.
