SUMMERS RUNS HOT | Bikesportnz

The Toby Summers show continued at Manfeild at the weekend.

The Yamaha rider from Auckland who won the Suzuki Series in the Formula Two/600cc class for the first time last season is now looking odds-on favourite to make it two titles in a row as he produced another scintillating performance at the weekend, racing at the second round of three in the series at Manfeild, just outside Palmerston North.

The 41-year-old Manukau plumber took his Yamaha R6 to bag two wins on Sunday and that means, added to the 1-10 results he was credited with at the series opener at Hampton Downs a week earlier, he heads to the series finale on the public streets of Wanganui on Boxing Day with a solid 12-point lead over his nearest rival, young Auckland international Daniel Mettam.

His tenth placing at Hampton Downs was perhaps an aberration, coming after he was docked 20 seconds for allegedly jumping the start, because he has consistently shown the pace to finish among the leading two or three riders in this popular and fiercely-fought class.

The R&R Powersports and BikesportNZ.com-supported rider was made to work hard for his victories at Manfeild, but the two riders who had shared the points lead with him after Hampton Downs, Katikati’s Rhys Holmes and Wainuiomata’s Shane Richardson, were not among the top three on Sunday and have dropped back in the standings.

“I want another two wins at Wanganui’s Cemetery Circuit on Boxing Day now, just to cap it all off,” smiled Summers.

“In the first race on Sunday I had a good battle with Daniel Mettam and Bailie Perriton (from Ashburton) and was handed the win when Bailie crashed and the race was decided on a count-back to the previous lap.

“In the second race I decided play-time was over and it was time to dish out some punishment … I just cleared out in front. I’m old enough to be the dad of all these riders I’m up against.

“Perhaps I’m showing them a thing or two, but I learn lessons too when I’m following them. This is only my third season racing the 600cc Yamaha and I’m learning all the time.

“I’ve got a healthy lead now but I won’t be taking things easy at Wanganui.”

Other class leaders after Manfeild are: Liechtenstein’s Horst Saiger (F1/Superbikes class); Orewa’s Avalon Biddle (F3/sport bikes); Te Awanga’s Eddie Kattenberg (Pre-89 post classic senior bikes); Marton’s Jason Hulme (Pre-89 post classic junior bikes); Tauranga’s Duncan Hart (super moto); Feilding’s John Oliver (Bears/non-Japanese); Hamilton’s Aaron Lovell and Tracey Bryan (sidecars).

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