Irishman Michael Dunlop visited Whanganui a fortnight ago to get a look at the Cemetary Circuit.
Irishman Michael Dunlop visited Whanganui a fortnight ago to get a look at the Cemetary Circuit.
The popular Suzuki Series which culminates on Monday in Whanganui not only brings out the best of Kiwi motorcycling talent, but this season has again attracted an impressive international following.
Social media postings indicate a huge number of people from overseas are tuning in to what is happening in this pre-nationals competition, as the series which was first formed in 2008 now threatens to rival even the New Zealand Superbike Championships in terms of popularity.
And there is plenty of reason for the global interest, with a number of high-profile international riders heading south for the summer.
These include the 2016 Isle of Man champion Michael Dunlop, Britain's 2016 world championship-winning sidecar rider John Holden, Liechtenstein rider Horst Saiger - the 2014 Suzuki Series winner on debut and third overall last season - and young British rising star James Flitcroft.
The Irishman Dunlop is obviously a major attraction for the upcoming street racing on Whanganui's famous Cemetery Circuit, although he's quick to downplay his chances of winning on his debut there.
"I'm under no illusion as to how quick these riders in New Zealand are," said Dunlop, who made a brief flying visit to scout Whanganui a fortnight ago.
"There's horses for courses and I don't do a lot of short circuit races. I don't think I'm going to come here and easily beat people."
Dunlop was the first rider in the history of the Isle of Man TT to achieve a lap of the course in under 17 minutes.
He is a true superstar of the sport and has been described as the best street road-racer in the world, with a total of 22 TT podiums to his credit.
A 13-time winner around the Isle of Man, the 27-year-old Dunlop is the current solo-machine lap record holder for the mountain course, set during the 2016 Senior TT in June when he circulated in a hot time of 16 minutes 53.929 seconds, at an average speed of 215.591kmh.
Widely regarded as one of the most tenacious competitors in motorcycle racing, Dunlop's aggressive style has endeared himself to fans over the years and his appearance at Whanganui will surely add numbers to his massive fan base.
"Hopefully I'm a fast learner," said Dunlop.
"From what I can gather there's only something like six or seven corners at Whanganui, with a 49 or 50-second lap time, so hopefully it won't take me too long to sort out where I'm going.
"I've been in the country only a short while now and I've already driven a couple of thousand kilometres.
"I've been fortunate to get this opportunity to come out here, so I want to see as much of New Zealand as I can while I'm here."
Whanganui brothers Ben (foreground) and Scott Dowman, sure to be contenders on the Cemetery Circuit on Boxing Day.
For 20-year-old Flitcroft, also on debut in New Zealand this summer, the trip is a massive learning experience.
It seemed quite natural Flitcroft would one day become a superbike rider after spending much of his childhood living in Spain and travelling to superbike events with his father, a race team manager.
"I decided to come over to New Zealand for two months and see what developed," he said.
"I'm here to learn as much as I can. The circuits are quite tight here and I'm always getting sideways on the bike, but I am enjoying it."
The series began at Taupo's Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park near Taupo just over two weeks ago, followed by the Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon, on the outskirts of Feilding a week later.
Right from the start, the premier Formula One/Superbike class in particular delivered high-octane excitement as four or five riders battled in close formation for the win, the rest of the chasing pack stretched out behind them.
It was the same cut-and-thrust action at Manfeild, with thrilling high-speed battles between Wellington's defending series champion Sloan Frost, Whakatane's multi-time former national champion Tony Rees, Glen Eden's Daniel Mettam, Taupo's Scott Moir, Manukau's Toby Summers, Saiger, New Plymouth's Hayden Fitzgerald and Waimauku's Ray Clee, along with many others.
It will not be known until the engines are shut off at Whanganui late on Boxing Day who will be crowned the series champion, as well as the winner of the cherished Robert Holden Memorial trophy will be revealed.
Whanganui's Ashley Payne (Suzuki GSX-R450), currently running 15th overall in the Formula Three class in the Suzuki Series.
