AS GOOD AS HIS WORD | Bikesportnz

Christchurch motorcycle racer John Ross is as good as his word.

Riding a stock standard bike, the Yamaha ace finished an inspiring fourth overall at the recent International Tri Series and then warned: “Watch this space. I will be going faster when the nationals begin”.

And that’s exactly what happened at round one of this season’s New Zealand Superbike Championships at Levels Raceway, near Timaru, at the weekend.

The 29-year-old Canterbury landscaper finished runner-up to fellow Christchurch racer Dennis Charlett (Suzuki) in his first 600 supersport class outing but the results were reversed later that afternoon, Ross scorching to the chequered flag six seconds ahead of Charlett.

The pair emerged at the end of the day equal on points, although the count-back rule gives the overall result – actually just bragging rights – to Ross.

There is still a long way to go in the five-round championship, with the next round at Invercargill’s Teretonga race circuit this coming weekend, but Ross at least knows he’s on the pace to win.

Of course, Charlett is equally determined and capable of winning. A long-time front-runner in this class and champion in 2007, Charlett perhaps has the edge in experience.

Meanwhile, another huge scrap is developing in the parallel 600 superstock class between Yamaha pair Midge Smart and Jaden Hassan.

Inglewood’s Smart has the marginal upper hand at the moment, having won the final race of the day at Levels, but once again the lead is shared as both Smart and Hassan each won a race and finished runner-up in the other.

Riding identical Yamaha R6 machines, there was little to separate the vastly experienced 24-year-old Smart and Auckland’s 16-year-old rising star Hassan and it will likely mean more fireworks between the two at Teretonga this weekend.

“I’m looking forward to getting on track at Teretonga,” said Smart.

“This is one place I’ve always gone well, and with one race meeting done, we are joint first in the championship, and I only intend on getting faster.

“Big thanks to all the sponsors and everyone who helped put us on top at the weekend. Let’s go win some more races.”

The supersport and superstock (unmodified) divisions of the 600cc competition are raced simultaneously on the track but scored separately and are separate championships.

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