Round 1 of the Castrol New Zealand Superbike Road Race Championships is at Ruapuna Park, just outside Christchurch this Saturday and Sunday. The rounds and venues are;

• Round 1 12-13 January - Ruapuna
• Round 2 19-20 January – Levels, Timaru
• Round 3 26-27 January – Teretonga, Invercargill
• Paeroa 16-17 February - Paeroa Street Race
• Round 4 23-24 February - Manfield
• Round 5 08-09 March - Pukekohe
  

Fitzgerald returned home to New Plymouth pre-Christmas having competed in a part season in the British Superbike Championship. His best result being a 12th in Southern Ireland and a 14th in the North West 200.

Castrol Honda’s Race Team Co-ordinator, Paul Stewart said; "We are looking for a better start this season because last year Hayden unfortunately had a crash at the Levels Raceway Timaru on 13 January where he badly bruised his shin and did not score any points at that round and the injury hindered his performance at Ruapuna Christchurch a week later where he was 8th overall."

Hayden picks up the story; "I also damaged ligaments and was lucky to get away with that crashing at 280 klms.  My best finish was a 3rd and I was 7th overall so I am looking to improve on that."

"I have had a good start to the season. On Boxing Day at Wanganui’s Cemetery Circuit I qualified on pole and had two 4ths and three 5ths."

"We have been testing today at Ruapuna and getting the new Ohlins Suspension dialled in and ready for the weekend" he added.

The 23 year old from New Plymouth has been road racing for six years and came to the public’s attention when he won the John Britten Memorial in 2003. He rates his greatest achievement as his 16th at the Isle Of Man’s Senior Manx GP. His father Terry also races and last came 2nd in the F3 Class and will be defending that this season.