Bugden edges closer to NZ Superbike title

Australian rider Robbie Bugden is on the threshold of securing back-to-back Superbike titles in New Zealand.

Australian rider Robbie Bugden is on the threshold of securing back-to-back Superbike titles in New Zealand, where Suzuki currently leads every class they contest in the national Road-Race Championships. Ahead of his 2008 Australian Superbike campaign riding a factory-supported Suzuki GSX-R1000, Bugden has dominated the New Zealand championship, winning all six races held to date.

Bugden can wrap up the championship at Manfield on February 23-24, and he isn’t the only GSX-R1000 pilot having a great season. New Zealand ace Andrew Stroud is looking to make it a Suzuki 1-2 in the Superbike championship, having slipped to third place in the most-recent round at Teretonga.

Suzuki’s GSX-R600 is having an equally successful time in the 600cc Sports Production class. Like Bugden in Superbikes, New Zealander Dennis Charlett has won every race and holds a commanding points lead, with another Suzuki rider, James Smith, second.

Suzuki SV650 pilot Karl Morgan has one hand on the new 650 Pro Twin title, after three wins at Teretonga further extended his advantage over fellow Suzuki riders Geoff Booth and Anthony Stephens. The SV650 is proving equally successful in the Formula Three class, where it is another Suzuki 1-2-3, with Glen Williams leading Steven Wood and Terry Fitzgerald. The two remaining rounds will be held at Manfield on 23-24 February and Pukekohe on 8-9 March.

NEW ZEALAND ROAD-RACE CHAMPIONSHIPS – ROUND 3:

NEW ZEALAND SUPERBIKE
1 Robbie Bugden (Australia, Suzuki GSX-R1000) 150,
2 Gareth Jones 102,
3 Andrew Stroud (Suzuki GSX-R1000) 98

600CC SPORTS PRODUCTION
1 Dennis Charlett (Suzuki GSX-R600) 147.5,
2 James Smith (Suzuki GSX-R600) 94.5,
3 Jay Lawrence 88.5

FORMULA THREE 1 Glen Williams (Suzuki SV650) 210,
2 Steven Wood (Suzuki SV650) 145,
3 Terry Fitzgerald (Suzuki SV650) 128

650 PRO TWIN
1 Karl Morgan (Suzuki SV650) 225,
2 Geoff Booth (Suzuki SV650) 140,
3 Anthony Stephens (Suzuki SV650) 137