- • Superbike Title Goes to the Wire – Luca Durning’s triple race win sees him level on points with Rogan Chandler heading into the final NZSBK round at Taupō.
- • Breakthrough Performances – Haydn Fordyce claimed his first Supersport race victory while Billy MacRae secured a maiden national win in 150 Supersport.
- • MotoFest a Major Success – The inaugural Bike Show, demo rides, custom bike display and track ride drew huge crowds and more than 400 riders across the weekend.
MotoFest proved a major success at Hampton Downs as the latest round of the Star Insure New Zealand Superbike Championship delivered dramatic racing, breakthrough wins and a championship decider heading into the Taupō finale.
The second day of racing at Hampton Downs delivered everything fans could hope for, with dramatic championship twists, breakthrough performances and the first title decided in the 2026 Star Insure New Zealand Superbike Championship.
Off the track, the inaugural MotoFest Bike Show proved a huge success, drawing large crowds across the weekend. The event featured the popular Legends Garage, a Custom Bike Show, road and off-road rides, and the thunderous track ride, which saw more than 400 riders take to the circuit over the two days.
But it was the on-track action that produced some of the biggest headlines of the weekend.
Superbike Title Fight Goes Down to the Wire
The championship battle in the premier Superbike class took a dramatic turn, with BMW rider Rogan Chandler losing his points advantage after a dominant weekend from fellow BMW rider Luca Durning.
Durning won all three races, including the newly introduced Aaron Slight Trophy race, and also secured the bonus point for pole position.
However, the racing was far from straightforward, with Chandler and Suzuki’s Morgan McLaren-Wood pushing hard throughout the weekend.
The result means Chandler and Durning now head to the final round at Taupō level on 184 points, although Durning holds the advantage on countback.
Breakthrough Win in Supersport
The 600 Supersport class delivered another highlight when Haydn Fordyce claimed a hugely popular maiden national championship race win.
The Yamaha rider battled hard with championship leader Jake Lewis before taking the victory.
Lewis still maintains a comfortable championship lead with 212 points, ahead of Ashton Hughes (140) and Fordyce (132).
First Wins and New Champion in Junior Classes
There were also personal milestones in the junior ranks.
In 150 Supersport, Billy MacRae secured his first national championship race victory, ending Hunter Charlett’s eight-race winning streak.
Despite that setback, Charlett still had reason to celebrate after sealing the 300 Supersport championship following another strong three-race performance.
Yamaha rider Harriet Grace also marked International Women’s Day with a memorable weekend, scoring her first two national championship podium finishes.
Leslie the Hampton Downs Hero
If there was a standout performer of the weekend, Cameron Leslie would take the honours.
Still recovering from a serious leg injury suffered at the opening round, Leslie delivered a remarkable performance by sweeping all three ProTwin races on his Yamaha.
He also battled his way to the 600 Supersport podium twice, hobbling onto the top step after two of those races.
Sportbike and Sidecar Battles Continue
In the new Sportbike class, Aprilia rider Tyler King completed a clean sweep of the weekend’s races.
However, Zak Fuller (Honda) still holds a 16-point championship lead heading into the Taupō finale.
Meanwhile, multi-time champion Dennis Charlett secured three podium finishes and now holds a 51-point advantage in the ProTwin championship over Azlan Blackwell.
In the Sidecar class, Spike and Bubba Taylor strengthened their championship position with 190 points, ahead of Barry Smith (163), who partnered with Vaughan Maine for the final race after brother Dave Smith was injured earlier in the weekend.
Magnificent MotoFest
And it wasn’t all about racing, with Round 3 of the NZ Superbike Championship combining with the MotoFest Bike Show, offering spectators far more than just on-track action.
There were demo rides on some of the latest and most exciting models from KTM, Yamaha, CFMOTO, Suzuki, Honda and Kawasaki, taking place outside the circuit with organised 40-minute loops on some of the best motorcycling roads in the Waikato. Inside the circuit, the manufacturers had huge displays featuring their newest machines, while a number of clothing and accessory distributors were also showcasing their latest products. There was plenty to see and do for visitors whenever they wanted to take a break from the racing action.
One of the biggest highlights for many was the free track cruise held at lunchtime, where hundreds of riders took to the Hampton Downs international circuit for three laps. With course cars controlling the pace, the speed was understandably more relaxed than the racers, but the sight of so many bikes circulating the track together was something special.
Following this, it was the turn for the Legends Garage riders to bring out some of the incredible – and often priceless – machines that visitors had been admiring throughout the day. And they certainly didn’t take it easy, especially Andrew Stroud, who thrilled the crowd with a series of wheelstands on the legendary Britten for what seemed like most of the lap around Hampton Downs.
With close racing across multiple classes and MotoFest adding a festival atmosphere around the circuit, Hampton Downs delivered one of the most memorable weekends of the NZSBK season. The combination of championship battles, demo rides, massive manufacturer displays and thousands of passionate riders created a celebration of motorcycling that went far beyond a normal race meeting. And with the Superbike title now perfectly poised heading into the Taupō finale next weekend, the 2026 championship is set for a dramatic conclusion.
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