Superbike series runs red hot in front of record crowd at Ruapuna

Stunning weather delivered a packed venue and scintillating racing across all classes at the Iconic Motorbikes Superbike Grand Prix — the opening event of the four-round NZSBK Championship.

Canterbury Motorcycle Club president Denis Charlett, winner of 17 New Zealand titles across multiple classes, confirmed it was the biggest crowd he has seen at Ruapuna in a long time.

“It’s been 15 to 20 years since I’ve seen a crowd like that at Ruapuna,” said Charlett. “It was great to see so many happy punters at a national championship round.”

NZSBK promoter Mike Marsden was stoked with the outcome and thanked Christchurch for its support.

“It was great to see a big crowd at Ruapuna to witness some fantastic racing and experience the fan activations we introduced last weekend — particularly the Pit Lane Walk, the street riders’ track cruise, and the Legends signing session,” said Marsden. “A key marketing pillar was families, and they turned up in great numbers. There were multiple generations at the event.

“And everyone who attended got what was promised — spectacular close racing and great off-track entertainment, where fans could get up close and personal with the competitors. It really was the complete package.”

Three different winners ignite Superbike title fight

In the premier class, three different Superbike race winners have set the Star Insure NZ Superbike Championship alight.

Christchurch Yamaha racer Al Hoogenboezem set the early Superbike standard, winning race one on Saturday.

Then Rogan Chandler took his BMW to victory in the prestigious Iconic Motorbikes New Zealand Superbike Grand Prix on Sunday, before Luca Durning took the flag after a crowd-pleasing late move in race three.

Charlett unstoppable in Supersport classes

Another star performance came from Yamaha racer Hunter Charlett, 15, who heads into round two at Invercargill next weekend with a six-win clean sweep of the 150 and 300 Supersport classes — including two New Zealand Grand Prix titles.

Others to score maximum points were Zak Fuller (Honda) in the new Sportbike class, and Jake Lewis (Yamaha) in 600 Supersport.

Veteran Denis Charlett showed the way home to younger rivals, taking his Yamaha to two wins in the ProTwin class.

Sidecars deliver drama

The sidecar class is another that promises to be hard-fought throughout the season.

While Spike and Bubba Taylor took two wins over the weekend, it was the Phillip Law and Angus Ravenwood combination who claimed the New Zealand Grand Prix title.

Next round: Invercargill

Round two of the Star Insure New Zealand Superbike Championship, presented by Bridgestone, heads to Teretonga Park, Invercargill, next weekend as the title fights begin to take shape across all classes.