Motorsport: No need to step down when you're still the King

Andrew Stroud. Photo / Supplied WGC 30Mar11 - IN THE BAG: Hamilton's Andrew S

Waikato's Andrew Stroud is as fast as he's ever been and sees no reason, even at the "advanced" age of 43, why he should give up on one of the most thrilling and, perhaps, dangerous of extreme sports, motorcycle road racing.

Described by many as the "ultimate family man", father-of-eight Stroud clinched a record ninth New Zealand superbike crown with a round to spare, winning the title at the fourth round of five at Hampton Downs, near Meremere, late last month. He also won the day at the final round at Manfeild, in Feilding, just over a week ago, clinching the one-off King of Manfeild trophy in the process.

The Suzuki star's success rate on the Kiwi domestic scene is unrivalled and, as the defence of his 2010 New Zealand Superbike Championship title reached a most positive climax in the Manawatu, he took time to reflect on what it all means and what the future has in store.

"I might as well keep racing ... I am still enjoying it you know? Besides, I think I can still win. I don't feel I'm going any slower these days," an understatement from the man who is, after all, top dog in the premier superbikes class again this season.

"If anything, I feel more grounded with my racing, more in control than ever before. I guess, with helping to bring up a family of eight children, I have that at the back of my mind all the time. Although, when I'm racing, I am concentrating really hard to stay on the bike. I've only fallen off three times in the past 12 years.

"Racing a superbike demands your full attention and, especially when we're racing at speeds of up to 300km/h on some tracks, you've got to do everything just right. I think my mind switches to a sort of 'super-high concentration mode' when I'm racing and I never feel in danger.

"This is a great family sport. All the riders are supposed to be rivals or enemies and we do compete fiercely but, in fact, we're all very close friends off the track.

"I'm certainly keen on doing this all over again next year."