Champ hot for Wanganui win

WGP 03Dec14 -

Christchurch superbike sensation Dennis Charlett (pictured) is heading to Wanganui - and he's a man on a mission.
The 46-year-old Canterbury crusader has numerous national titles to his credit after a sparkling career that spans more than three decades, but the Suzuki road-race hero still has unfinished business before he finally hangs up his helmet and boots - to win the Robert Holden Memorial trophy.
The New Zealand superbike season kicks off this weekend at Hampton Downs with the first of three rounds of the popular Suzuki Series, the final round of which is on the public streets of Wanganui on Boxing Day and that's when the Robert Holden feature race trophy will be on the line.
"I've won New Zealand TT titles, New Zealand GP titles, I have been national 125GP class champion, national 600cc champion, I am currently the New Zealand superbike champion and I have won the Suzuki Series in the past too [in 2012], but the trophy I really want is the Robert Holden Memorial," Charlett says.
"I know I'll retire a happy man regardless, but I would like to add this one to my curriculum vitae, just so that I can tick all the boxes.
"Road-racing can be a dangerous sport, but I have resisted the temptation to retire because I'm still fit enough to race at the top level and I'm still enjoying it so much."
The 2014-15 season-opening Suzuki Series kicks off at Hampton Downs this weekend, with round two to follow at Manfeild on December 13 and 14 and the streets around the Wanganui Cemetery closed off for the final round on December 26.
The four-round New Zealand Superbike Championships follow soon after, with round one set for Ruapuna Raceway, on the outskirts of Christchurch, on January 10 and 11.
Charlett - the national title-holder - knows there will be a target on his back and is taking nothing for granted.
Last season's Suzuki Series winner Nick Cole, of Hamilton, and perennial frontrunner Craig Shirriffs, of Feilding, have both retired from racing, but Charlett is well aware that there are still perhaps half a dozen others who will threaten him.
"Wellington's Sloan Frost will be fast again and so will [Auckland youngster] Jaden Hassan. Then there's Australian Linden Magee and New Plymouth's Hayden Fitzgerald. Wanganui's Jayden Carrick is now on a superbike and he will do well.
"Jayden's a bit of a dark horse really because he's just moved up from the 600cc class, but he always goes well at Manfeild and on the streets of Wanganui. He races there a lot, so he will have to be respected.
"These guys are all young and fit and fast. It's going to be tough for me."
Charlett will also face a challenge from an international contingent, with first-time visitor to New Zealand Horst Saiger arriving from Liechtenstein, bordering Austria, and Australian father and daughter pair Phil and Sophie Lovett returning for another crack at the Kiwi superbike scene.
Flamboyant British rider Guy Martin returns also, but will race the final round of the Suzuki Series only.
"Consistency is vital in winning a championship. I will just keep gathering up the points where I can and see how it all adds up at the end," said Charlett.
"I'm glad to have the backing of Suzuki New Zealand. I have been given the bike of [five-time former New Zealand superbike champion] Robbie Bugden to ride this year. It's a 2012-model GSX-R1000 and a great bike.
"Also I can't thank [ultra-fast broadband installers] Underground Brown enough for the support they give me. I wouldn't still be racing if it weren't for their sponsorship.
"Perhaps they can make an ultra-fast motorcycle racer out of me again," he laughed.
The Suzuki Series includes competition for Formula Two 600cc Supersport, Formula Three Sportbikes, Post Classics, Bears (non-Japanese bikes), Super Moto and sidecars classes, so spectators can expect packed programmes at the tracks on each of the race weekends.