It is probably just a matter of time now before Jaden Hassan is crowned national roadrace champion.

The teenager from Westmere, in his rookie year on a 600cc bike, finished first equal on points at the top of the 600cc superstock class at this season’s New Zealand Superbike Championships, which wrapped up at Manfeild at the weekend.

But the 16-year-old Hassan had to accept the No.2 spot on the count-back rule, his main rival, fellow Yamaha ace Midge Smart, from Inglewood, having scored more wins than him during the five-round series.

The series went down to the wire at the weekend’s final round in the Manawatu, Hassan leading the championship by five points as the riders lined up for the final clash of the season. Smart won that deciding race, wiping out that five-point deficit and taking the outright victory.

“I’m satisfied with the season,” said a philosophical Hassan, who then modestly paid credit to the man who took the crown.

“Midge (Smart) has raced all over the world, so it was a great learning experience to be on the same race track as him, up against a rider of his calibre. I was stoked that I could keep up with him.”

This year was Hassan’s first season racing the 600cc Yamaha R6, after several seasons on board a 125cc Yamaha in the 125GP class – he finished third in the 125GP class last season – and he adapted remarkably quickly to the different weight, power and handling characteristics of the bigger bike.

“I recorded lap records at Levels, Ruapuna and was fastest qualifier at Teretonga, so that’s good, positive stuff too.

“Hopefully now I will be able to head overseas and race, perhaps in the British superstock 600 class and the Australian 600 superstock class as well.

“I eventually want to race the World Superbike Championships.”

Few would doubt that this very focussed year 13 student from Western Springs College will someday make that all happen, although, in the meantime, he has some unfinished business to attend to in New Zealand, with 600cc rookie Hassan now easily ranking as one of the favourites to win the Kiwi 600cc title outright next summer.

© Words and photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com