- Mitch Rees opened his 2025 title defence in dominant fashion, qualifying fastest and winning all three F1 races at Taupō.
- Cameron Leslie made a strong jump into the 600cc class, taking the Supersport win ahead of Ashton Hughes and Jake Lewis.
- With 13 classes and international riders from the USA, UK and Australia, Round One delivered intense racing ahead of Manfeild and the final at the Cemetery Circuit.
A massive gathering of elite motorcycle road racers converged on Taupo over the weekend as the 2025 Suzuki International Series roared into life. Under a hot, cloudless sky, Taupō International Motorsport Park hosted two days of world-class entertainment, with a bumper crowd treated to intense, elbow-to-elbow action that set the tone for the three-round championship.
International riders again added prestige to the series, with competitors from the USA, UK and Australia mixing it up with New Zealand’s best. The visiting talent lifted the bar from the outset, forcing the Kiwi contenders to dig deep — and many rose superbly to the challenge.
Among the biggest names was defending F1 champion Mitch Rees, and the Whakatāne rider wasted no time reminding everyone why the No.1 plate is on his Honda. Rees topped qualifying to bank an early bonus point, then stormed through the weekend unbeaten in all three F1 races, fending off pressure from his legendary father Tony Rees, Upper Hutt’s Rogan Chandler, Porirua’s Rhys Lindsay and Auckland’s Dave Sharp.
The 32-year-old’s perfect score put him ahead of 58-year-old Tony, while Chandler claimed a well-earned third overall with a trio of solid podium rides.
In F2/Supersport 600, Auckland’s Cameron Leslie made an immediate statement in his step up from the 300cc class, winning the weekend with results of 1-2-2. Bulls rider Ashton Hughes and national 600cc champion Jake Lewis (Christchurch) completed the podium. Leslie, who secured the NZ Supersport 300 title in March, looks to have adapted quickly to the extra horsepower and intensity of the 600cc category.
And it wasn’t just the headline classes delivering fireworks. With 13 categories on the programme, fans often didn’t know where to look as frenetic battles unfolded all around the circuit — from post-classic machinery to supermoto and sidecars.
There’s little time for riders to catch their breath. The series now heads to the Manawatū for Round Two at Manfeild this coming weekend (December 13–14), before the traditional finale on Boxing Day at Whanganui’s iconic Cemetery Circuit, one of the world’s most famous public-street races.
Photos: Aaron Staples Photography
Class Leaders After Round One (Taupō)
Formula One: Mitch Rees (Whakatāne)
Formula Two / Supersport 600: Cameron Leslie (Auckland)
Formula Three: Tyler King (Silverdale)
Supersport 300: Tyler King (Silverdale)
Formula Sport Senior (600+): Malcolm Bielski (Wellington)
Formula Sport Junior (Up to 600cc): Jeff Croot (Whanganui)
Pre ’89 Post Classics Senior (600+): Paul Pavletich (Auckland)
Pre ’89 Post Classics Junior (Under 600cc): Scott Findlay (Auckland)
Pre ’95 Post Classics Junior (Under 600cc): Eddie Kattenberg (Te Awanga)
Pre ’95 Post Classics Senior (600+): Kieran Mair (Upper Hutt)
F1 Sidecars: Adam Unsworth & Bryce Rose (Auckland)
F2 Sidecars: Tracey Bryan & Jo Franzen (Whanganui)
Supermoto: Richie Dibben (Whanganui)
2025 Suzuki International Series Calendar
Round 1: Taupō – Dec 6–7
Round 2: Manfeild, Feilding – Dec 13–14
Round 3: Whanganui Cemetery Circuit – Dec 26
The Suzuki International Series is supported by: Suzuki New Zealand, Mondiale VGL, Auto Super Shoppe Tawa, Givi, I-Tools, Bridgestone, Metzeler, Sharp As Linehaul, TSS Motorcycles, Ipone, Inferno Design & Digital, Kiwibike Insurance, Shark, Barred Up Scaffolding and The Dentists.
Source: Cemetery Circuit/Andy McGechan
Summary
The 2025 Suzuki International Series launched in Taupō with scorching conditions, big crowds and fierce racing across 13 classes. Defending F1 champion Mitch Rees was unstoppable, topping qualifying and winning all three premier-class races ahead of his father Tony Rees and Rogan Chandler. In Supersport 600, Cameron Leslie impressed with a 1-2-2 scorecard to take the overall win in his first full season on a 600. International riders from the USA, UK and Australia added intensity throughout the weekend. The series now moves to Manfeild before the Boxing Day finale at Whanganui’s iconic Cemetery Circuit.
