Motorcycling: Series sponsor re signs as popularity spreads

POLE POSITION: Alan "Flea" Willacy (left) takes delivery of the latest Suzuki Kizashi from Suzuki NZ general manager of motorcycle and ATV marketing Simon Meade ahead of the 2014 competition.

The growing popularity of the Suzuki Series that culminates with the Boxing Day motorcycle meeting on Wanganui's Cemetery Circuit has not gone unnoticed.

The three-round series has captured the imagination and support of the general public and staunch motorcycling fans since its inception in 2008 and now rivals the national championship in terms of rider and spectator popularity.

The event's success has prompted major sponsor Suzuki New Zealand to sign on for another two years.

With its headquarters in Wanganui at the start of the Cemetery Circuit's famous chicane on Heads Rd, Suzuki New Zealand again retains naming rights for the 2014 series that begins at Hampton Downs on December 6, before moving to Manfeild in December 13-14 and ending in Wanganui on December 26.

"We are thrilled to have Suzuki come on board again," series organiser Alan "Flea" Willacy said yesterday.

"They are such a brilliant company to work with and do some fantastic things for the sport in general too. It makes things easy for me to have such great support behind me."

Regarded as a pre-nationals warm-up competition, the Suzuki Series began as a tri-series and, while it remains a three-round series, expectations are high that it will expand. Its popularity has gone well beyond New Zealand borders and is rapidly becoming a regular competition for international racing teams.

Last year's series attracted a good number of international visitors, including flamboyant Englishman Guy Martin, Italian supermotard ace Malachi Mitchell-Thomas, German pair Thomas Kreutz and Steve Mizera and a slew of Australians - Chris Seaton, Graig Trinder, Linden McGee and father and daughter pair Phil and Sophie Lovett.

"The entries are already starting to flow in," Willacy said.