International Talent Heads to NZ for 2025 Suzuki Series

Three-round series starts December 6–7 in Taupo, with international riders confirmed from the US, UK and Australia.
Manfeild hosts Round 2 before the legendary Cemetery Circuit street race lights up Whanganui on Boxing Day.
Strong entry numbers, broad class inclusivity and long-time backing from Suzuki NZ promise another huge summer of racing.

The 2025 Suzuki International Series roars into life at Taupo on December 6–7, signalling the start of a frantic festive season of top-tier motorcycle racing across New Zealand.

With only a few days to go, organiser Allan “Flea” Willacy is putting the final touches on a championship that has become a cornerstone of the Southern Hemisphere racing calendar. Since its debut in 2008 (with only 2021 missed due to COVID), the series has steadily grown into a summer institution, capped by the iconic Cemetery Circuit street races in Whanganui on Boxing Day.

This year marks the 17th running of the series and once again it promises a blockbuster month of racing. Taupo International Motorsport Park hosts the opener on December 6–7, followed swiftly by Manfeild in Feilding on December 13–14. The action then funnels into Whanganui’s world-famous Cemetery Circuit on December 26, where thousands pack the tight, unforgiving streets for one of New Zealand’s oldest and most intense sporting traditions.

Willacy says interest is again sky-high, with a huge number of entries already locked in from across the country and abroad. Riders from the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia are joining our own elite to take on the ultimate Kiwi road-racing challenge.

“As always, we can expect the competitors to give it everything they have to win, or at least enhance their reputations,” Willacy says. “Spectators will love the rapid-fire nature of the programme – it’s always full of action.”

Fans will be treated to an all-star cast, including Whakatāne legends Tony and Mitch Rees, with Mitch returning from his recent stint in Macau where he took on the infamous street circuit with incredible results. Christchurch’s Alastair Hoogenboezem is back once more on the Yamaha NZ YZF-R1, while Auckland’s Dave Sharp put in some solid results on the Honda CBR1000RR-R at the Suzuki Auckland Motorcyle Club Series at Hampton Downs recently, so he’ll definitely be on his A game. Rogan Chandler was also using the AMCC rounds to get his BMW S1000RR dialled in and was looking seriously quick, meaning there’s plenty of talent all ready to make life difficult for the dominant Rees duo.

In fact, the Formula 1 class is literally bursting with talent, and there’s an incredible 16 bikes scheduled to line up on the grid at the first round in Taupo, including Cambridge’s Morgan McLaren-Wood on a GSX-R1000, and local Whanganui charger Luca Durning who has just returned from Aussie where he competed in the SuperSport class on a Ducati Panigale V2 and has moved up to the BMW M1000RR for the 2025 NZ season.

As usual there’s plenty of overseas talent heading down to NZ for their off-season, with Eric Wilson coming from Northern Island, Dave Hewson from the UK and Anthony Stephens and Joseph Salter heading over the ditch from Aussie. With all but Anthony Stephens doing the entire series including the Cemetery Circuit (Anthony is only doing the street race), it’s sure to be the most thrilling superbike racing we’ve seen on NZ’s circuits for a while, and they’re just in the Formula 1 class.

In Formula 2, there’s David Thomas from the USA on a Kawasaki ZX-6R and Marty Kracht from Aussie on a Yamaha YZF-R6 that will be banging fairings with some legendary local talent. Jake Lewis is back to defend his crown, while Sloan Frost is taking some time off from supporting his son, Nixon, competing in the F2 class on a Suzuki GSX-R600 at the Manfeild and Whanganui rounds. Jessie Stroud will be up front on the Kawasaki ZX-636 and will be fighting off a fleet of the latest KTM RC8Cs, with Hamish Simpson, Cameron Leslie, Logan Rowell and Keiren Mair campaigning the orange machines.

With massive fields for the Formula 3, Supersport 300 and Formula Sport, and Post Classic classes, it’s going to be a hot summer of racing.

The 2025 series is once again backed by Suzuki New Zealand, supported by freight and logistics giant Mondiale VGL.Willacy says the number of partners involved this year is a testament to the series’ enduring appeal. “The inclusive nature of the class rules allows club-level riders to compete alongside seasoned international campaigners. These races have been a launching pad for so many of our up-and-comers,” he says.

The diversity of bike classes on offer remains one of the series’ biggest strengths, ensuring riders of all types have a place on the grid – and guaranteeing bumper entry numbers year after year. “That’s what we’re all about: offering something for everyone,” Willacy says.

He also emphasises Suzuki New Zealand’s long-standing commitment. The manufacturer has been onboard since the very first running in 2008, when Suzuki legend Andrew Stroud claimed the inaugural title. “We can’t thank Suzuki enough for the support they give our sport. Many young racing careers have been nurtured and grown from this series,” he says.

New Zealand road-racing has always delivered edge-of-the-seat drama, and 2025 looks set to be no different. Whether you’re watching from the fences or battling for position, the adrenaline load will be huge.

Spectators can buy tickets for Round 1 and 2 at the gate, with pricing Adult $20, Child (5-15) $5 on Saturday (Practice, Qualifying & Race 1) and Adult $30, Child (5-15) $5 on Sunday (two full rounds of racing).

And there’s still time to get early bird tickets for Boxing Day’s Cemetery Circuit via the website: cemeterycircuit.co.nz with a general admission ticket costing $40.

Pics: BRM, ASP & supplied

2025 SUZUKI INTERNATIONAL SERIES DATES

Round 1: Taupo — Dec 6–7

Round 2: Manfeild, Feilding — Dec 13–14

Round 3: Whanganui Cemetery Circuit — Dec 26

2025 SERIES CLASSES

Formula 1 (including Pre 2019 class), Formula 2, Formula 3, Supersport 300, F1 & F2 Modern Sidecars, Super Moto, Pre 89 & Pre 95 Senior/Junior, Formula Sport Senior/Junior, Adventure Bikes.