KEY POINTS:
Wellington motorcycle racer Jay Lawrence is brimming with confidence as he readies himself for a brand new road-racing season.
After a series of successful tests on tracks around the country with his new 600cc Kawasaki ZX-R6, the 19-year-old service technician reckons he's now ready for whatever the season
throws at him.
He will tackle the infamous Wanganui Cemetery Circuit on Boxing Day, "merely as a PR exercise", but then launches his national championship campaign proper as the five-round series kicks off at Ruapuna raceway, near Christchurch, less than three weeks later (on January 12 and 13).
"I don't fancy my chances too much at Wanganui - I have never raced there before," Lawrence said.
"I have done a bit of street racing and I really enjoy it. It's a lot of fun and a lot of pressure too."
Lawrence knows he can't afford to make mistakes on a street circuit such as Wanganui, with its thin cushioning of hay bales between the riders and concrete kerbs and street signs.
"But it's a high-profile meeting and it will be good to wave the flag for Kawasaki and the Museum Hotel Race Team," Lawrence said.
"The way they've structured the classes [at Wanganui] this year, it means I will have to put my 600cc bike up against the 1000cc superbikes. That should be interesting to say the least."
The main focus for Lawrence is improving his ranking in the New Zealand championships, which is why he's been clocking up the kilometres over the past few months, rigorously testing his distinctive Kermit-green race machine.
The 600 Sports Production class national No 5 seems well on target for a top-three result this season; his lap times at the various tracks impressing onlookers.
At a recent test day at Pukekohe, venue for the fifth and final round of the nationals on March 8-9, Lawrence took his Kawasaki to fourth place in an all-in race, the first of the 600cc bikes.
Then, in the first of his 600 Sports Production races, Lawrence was able to show his full potential and enjoyed a comfortable win.
"After a quick tussle with fellow Kawasaki rider Chris Suchich over the first two laps, I made a pass and tried to see if I could gap him," Lawrence said. "A series of good, clean, consistent laps followed and I stretched my gap to more than three seconds by the end of the race."
The second 600 Sports Production race was an entirely different affair, as rain had dampened the track. Lawrence was racing on virtual slicks but still managed to finish third - the first rider home on production tyres.
"I'm feeling comfortable on the bike now. The Kawasaki and Continental tyres are working well and the whole package inspires confidence," Lawrence said.
"I don't know who to watch out for when the nationals start. Last year's 600 Sports Production champion, Sam Smith [of Pukekohe], has moved into the superbike class so that leaves a bit of a vacuum, but I see Midge Smart has returned from England and he's racing in the 600 class this year.
"He might be the man to beat. We'll just have to wait and see."