Both riders were happy with the outcomes of their final rounds, writes Andy McGechan
Young Australian Gareth Jones will again leave New Zealand with fond memories. The Yamaha racer from Queensland spent more time on the podium than any other rider at this year's Castrol New Zealand Superbike Championships.
He finished third in the glamour superbike class during his first visit to New Zealand last summer but he bumped up his campaign this season and swiftly earned himself a podium spot in two separate classes.
The 22-year-old Jones was an outstanding performer in both the superbikes class and the 600cc sports production class in New Zealand this summer. His most dominating performance was in the 600cc class where he was beaten just once in 10 races on his way to the title win.
Despite suffering his first loss in the class at Pukekohe's fifth and final round on Sunday, pipped for the win by fellow Yamaha ace Sam Smith in the weekend's first 600cc race, he still finished that race in runner-up spot and easily wrapped up the title with a race to spare.
Though he didn't even need to line up for the next race, the ever-competitive Aussie rolled to the grid on his Yamaha R6 and signed off his Kiwi campaign in style, reversing the result of race one, winning from Smith to also take the overall for the day and collect the TT title as well.
"I didn't have a great start to the weekend - being beaten by Sam in the first 600cc race and suffering a minor mechanical glitch in the first superbike race - but it just got better and better after that," said Jones.
"It's been a fantastic series. At first I was worried about trying to ride two classes this year but it didn't take me long to adapt. If you can ride an R1 you can ride an R6, simple as that. These bikes are so easy to ride."
Smith unwrapped an early 21st birthday present on Sunday afternoon and it was a gift the Pukekohe man gave to himself. "I turn 21 on Monday and I truly wanted to finish this season on the podium. I achieved that, so I'm pretty happy," he said.
"To come back strong like this after a difficult start to the season and following the terrible season I had last year is something to be happy about. I had broken my wrist and my hand was in plaster this time last year."
Former champion Smith was fourth in the 600cc standings at the start of the day at Pukekohe but, after finishing 1-2 in his two outings on Sunday, he successfully muscled his way to the No3 position, just behind Christchurch Suzuki rider Jimmy Smith (no relation).
Meanwhile, Jones has vowed to return to racing in New Zealand next season:
"I'll be racing a Yamaha R1 in Holland and Germany this season but I'll be back to New Zealand next summer ... I wouldn't miss this for the world."
