Horst-power proves too much

TITLEHOLDER: Horst Saiger claimed the Suzuki Series Formula 1 Superbike crown without winning a race on the Cemetery Circuit in Wanganui yesterday.PHOTOS/LEWIS GARDNER 261214WCLGCEMETERYCIRCUIT10

Liechtenstein visitor Horst Saiger had no need hit the turbo on his ZX1OR Kawasaki to take the Suzuki Series Formula 1 Superbike title at the Cemetery Circuit in Wanganui yesterday.

The professional motorcycle racer from Europe came into the final meeting of the series with an almost unassailable points lead and he appeared to do just what he needed to ensure the title after success in the first two rounds at Hampton Downs and Manfield.

Saiger ended the day with a third and a fourth in the championship races, but said he thoroughly enjoyed the street racing environment in Wanganui.

"Yeah. I loved the street racing and while I came to Wanganui with a big points lead in the series, I wanted to race seriously," Saiger said after the racing.

"I got back a bit in the first race and rode past a few to grab third, but in the second race I got away to too good a start. I ended up too close to the bikes in front of me and was forced to throttle off. As soon as I did, others started passing me and I ended up further back than I wanted to.

"I began counting the bikes in front and, with the title in mind, I rode to make sure I finished the race. It's my first title here in New Zealand and good to get for my team."

Saiger was non-committal about returning to defend the Suzuki Series Superbike crown next season.

"Maybe, I'm not sure. I won't be contesting the national series. I fly out to Australia on the 28th and then back to Europe," Saiger said.

The two championship races in Wanganui yesterday were won by different riders with Tony Rees from Whakatane claiming the first on his CBR1000RR Honda and the second by Saiger's nearest rival Scott Moir from Taupo on his GSXR1000 Suzuki.

Rees franked that form with a nice win in the Robert Holden Memorial Trophy later in the day.

The find of the day in the Superbikes was season debutante Jayden Carrick on his GSXR1000 Suzuki.

Carrick, who qualified second fastest in practice, finished second to Rees in race one and then a close fourth to Moir in the second of the series. The Wanganui rider continued his form into the afternoon claiming second in the Robert Holden Memorial behind Rees.

Carrick was a well-respected F2 600 competitor until he entered Superbikes just this season.

He showed the streets of his own hometown held no fears.

"I know the track well from my 600 days and it was just a matter of getting used to the GSXR,' Carrick said.

"I had no chance in the series after a bad day at Hampton Downs, but I've been getting more accustomed to the bike after a reasonable meeting at Manfield and again here today. I'm not chasing the national title because I only intend doing the North Island legs."

The F2 championship went to Manukau's Toby Summers who finished the series on 129 points compared with his nearest rival Daniel Mettam from Auckland on 115.5pts.

Summers has been around for a wee while and is no stranger to Wanganui race fans. He too came into the final round of the series leading and hung on to win the title comfortably.

Fresh from racing in Australia, Adam Chambers showed fans his talents, easily winning the first F2 race yesterday.

"I was fortunate enough to get a ride in Perth during the New Zealand off-season and that helps keep the hand in," he said.

Chambers got progressively better as the Suzuki Series progressed.

"I like to use the series as a shake-down for the nationals coming up - it's good to see where you're at."