KEY POINTS:
The final two rounds of the South Island Motorcycle Trials Championships held near Alexandra this weekend will be a battle between Northern and Southern youth. Wellington teenager Jake Whitaker is expected to come out on top, but he will face stiff competition from Nelson local Jason Baker.
Hillclimb Returns
The Kaitangata Hillclimb is to be revived. The 1.2km gravel hillclimb was a big success in the 1960s and 70s and was used to host a national gold star event. The event, to be held on Saturday, October 6, is in memory of local motor sport fan and racer Bob Scott. In the 1950s and 60s Scott built his own race cars and competed with success, winning three South Island grass track titles. Scott also races road circuits, winning many events against factory-built cars.
Hot Lap For Le Mans
Just one week before he lines up on the Silverstone grid for the start of the British round of the Le Mans series, Kiwi Neil Cunningham set the fastest lap around Snetterton in Norfolk. Cunningham stopped the watch in under 1m 59s and is full of praise for the LMP2 Radical-Judd car.
Seats For Sports Fans
With ticket sales up by 25 per cent for this year's Bathurst 1000 next month, an extra grandstand has been built on pit straight. The grandstand, at Murray's Corner, will look up Conrod Straight, over the final corner and into pit lane.
Superbike Dates
Motorcycling New Zealand has confirmed the dates for next year's New Zealand Superbike road race championships. Defending champion Robbie Bugden has confirmed he will defend his title. Chris Seaton and Scott Charlton are also due to compete. The dates are: January 12-13 Ruapuna (including the NZ Grand Prix), January 19-20 Levels, January 26-27 Teretonga, February 23-24 Manfeild and the final round March 8-9 at Pukekohe to include the NZ TTs.
Two Vie For Title
The last round of the American AMA Motocross Lites Championships this weekend has turned into a two-horse race, with Kiwi Ben Townley hot on the heels of series leader and defending champion Ryan Villopoto.
