Slight takes delivery of Fireblade

Former world superbike star Aaron Slight has taken delivery of Honda's latest product, Fireblade CBR1000RR, but there is no chance of him returning to the competitive scene.
Slight, from Masterton, amassed an outstanding record on the international superbike circuit between 1991 and 2000, including 13 wins, and he is also the only rider to win the famed Suzuki 8 Hours race in three successive years, from 1993 to 1995.
Now an official ambassador for Blue Wing Honda, Slight these days mainly confines his motorcycling to participating in track days held by the Honda Riders Club of New Zealand at venues like Manfeild and Taupo.
And not even receiving the keys to the new Fireblade, valued at around $23,000, from Masterton-based Honda dealer Grant Langlands yesterday will entice Slight to have a change of heart.
"Quite honestly, I haven't been to any serious motorcycling event for a long time," Slight said. "My own racing days are over and that's the way I want it to stay. I don't want to get the itch again."
Slight is confident, however, that any promotional work he does for the new Fireblade will have good results. He described it as big and powerful yet easy to ride, "a bit like the latest model Porsche when it comes to cars".