Summers shines in Wanganui

Manukau's Tony Summers (Yamaha R6, No 777) and Germany's Thomas Kreutz (Yamaha R6, letter K) launch off the front row of the grid in Wanganui on Boxing Day. Photo/Andy McGechan, BIKESPORTNZ.COM

Auckland plumber Tony Summers was fully tapped-out on Boxing Day.

The 40-year-old Yamaha ace convincingly won both Formula Two (600cc) class races at Wanganui's Cemetery Circuit on Thursday for the third and final round of the annual Suzuki Series.

His wins were enough to secure the F2 Suzuki Series crown, the first time the Manukau man had won a major trophy in the 600cc class in just his second season at this level.

"I've won the Suzuki Series in the Super Moto class in the past, but this is a bigger deal and it's a first for me," said Summers.

Summers won four out of the six F2 races in the series and was only beaten across the line by Wanganui's Jayden Carrick in race two at Hampton Downs and visiting German Yamaha ace Thomas Kreutz in race two at Manfeild.

Summers also raced a Yamaha YZ450F throughout the series and had been a contender to win the Super Moto class again this season, until a crash at Manfeild's second round ruined his chances of outright victory.

Wanganui's Richard Dibben claimed the title with two victories at Cemetery Circuit, although Summers came runner-up to him on both occasions.

But with another Suzuki series class title in the books, Summers was not begrudging Dibben his success.

"Winning the 600cc class is a big one. It's a great way to set me up for the nationals when I will race the 600cc supersport class."

The four-round New Zealand Superbike Championships begins in Christchurch on January 5, and perhaps it could really be the summer of Summers.

"I'm not getting too excited about things just yet," he said.

"I don't know any of the South Island tracks," he said.

"I have never even set eyes on the tarmac down there yet, so it's going to be a bit of a learning experience for me.

"This Suzuki series was all about me getting comfortable on the Yamaha R6 and that's certainly starting to happen."