Round 5, Castrol Power1 NZ Superbike Champs 2011

Hi everyone,

The NZ championship is over for another year and I finished the series in number 2 position for the second year in a row although I managed to win the NZ TT title race just over a week ago.

Manfeild raceway is almost like a 2nd home to me after a lot of winter racing there so I was really looking forward to getting to Feilding and giving points leader Jake Lewis a good run for his money at the final round of the 2011 Championship.

I would have loved to finish the season with some wins but only managed to muster three second places in the sunshine over the weekend. It did end on a bit of a positive note though after a couple of close races between championship winner Jake and I. I nearly had him with a last corner attempt in race one but ran into lapped traffic, such is the way racing goes sometimes. 

We had a good tussle in the last one but by the end of the race I was struggling to  keep running the pace and had to settle for second. I was happy that I managed to hang in there right until the chequered flag as it took a lot of mental strength to do so and it was a fun race.

I'm understandably pretty frustrated to finish second once again but I'll share a bit of a story that kind of puts it all into perspective. The first day I ever rode a 125GP motorcycle was just 3 years ago. I stalled the bike so many times just trying to take off that I blew the clutch and didn't even manage to leave the pits. People tell me I'm naturally talented on a motorbike but that day certainly begs to differ!! Looking back to that frustration and my level of ability on that day, its cool to see how far I've come since then. It makes 2nd place not seem so bad after all.  It appears I am also the only woman in  history to win a GP and a TT title in NZ motorcycle road racing, so that's something to add to my CV, along with some other notable achievements.

I definitely wouldn't be where I am today without the people who have stuck by me through all the highs and lows since then. Most notably, Dad, who has made a lot of sacrifices for my racing as well as spending countless numbers of nights in the garage preparing my bikes, and Mum for giving up a lot of things so we could go racing, and of course my long term sponsors NGK Spark Plugs, Blue Wing Honda and Auckland Motorcycle club.

I'd like to say a huge thank-you to everyone who helped me out this season, especially Kevin Goddard from Race Supplies for his work on my bike in the South Island , Henk Jager for letting me use his engine in the South Island, Tim McArthur for all the time and effort he selflessly put into my riding and all the other riders who gave me help and encouragement whenever needed. Also to my sponsors: Blue Wing Honda, Race Supplies, HJC helmets, NGK, Sidi Boots, CRC Lubricants, CarColors North Shore, Deepweb Web Design, Baywatch Motor Lodge Timaru, Auckland Motorcycle Club & RacePace trainers, thanks for your ongoing support and getting me out there this season.  

 We are now looking at our options for the next year. Although I'm still looking to race overseas we need (and are still searching for) funding to do so.  I would like to attain a wildcard ride at MotoGP in Australia late this year, being the last year for two strokes, the machinery I am most familiar with, but we would need a good budget to be competitive there. NZ is tough enough financially but looking at the expense of racing in the UK and Europe where I need to further myself is a big step up again.

Here at home if all goes to plan I will be moving up to the 600cc class which I am super excited about and can't wait to get training for!   

I'll keep you updated on any news
Thanks for reading!
Av #21