- Record crowd turns out for opening round of the NZ Superbike Championship at Ruapuna
- Three different Superbike winners ignite an early-season title fight
- Strong family turnout and new fan activations mark a successful season opener
The Star Insure New Zealand Superbike Championship has burst into life with a spectacular opening round at Euromarque Motorsport Park, where stunning weather and scintillating racing played out in front of the biggest crowd seen at the circuit in years.
The Iconic Motorbikes Superbike Grand Prix, round one of the four-round NZSBK season, delivered close racing across every class and marked a strong start to the championship, with packed spectator banks and a lively atmosphere throughout the weekend.
Canterbury Motorcycle Club president Denis Charlett, himself a 17-time New Zealand champion across multiple classes, said the turnout was something special.
“It’s been 15 to 20 years since I’ve seen a crowd like that at Ruapuna,” said Charlett. “It was great to see so many happy punters at a national championship round.”
NZSBK promoter Mike Marsden was equally delighted with the weekend’s success, praising both the racing and the strong local support.
“It was great to see a big crowd at Ruapuna to witness some fantastic racing and experience the fan activations we introduced last weekend — particularly the Pit Lane Walk, the street riders’ track cruise, and the Legends signing session,” said Marsden.
“A key marketing pillar was families, and they turned up in great numbers and there were multiple generations at the event, from babies to great-grandparents.
And everyone who attended got what was promised — spectacular close racing and great off-track entertainment, where fans could get up close and personal with the competitors. It really was the complete package.”
Three Winners Ignite Superbike Title Fight
The premier Superbike class delivered exactly what fans had hoped for, with three different race winners ensuring the championship fight is already wide open.
Christchurch Yamaha rider Al Hoogenboezem set the early benchmark by claiming victory in race one on Saturday. Sunday saw Rogan Chandler take his BMW to victory in the prestigious Iconic Motorbikes New Zealand Superbike Grand Prix, before Luca Durning thrilled the crowd with a late move to secure the win in race three.
Charlett Dominates Supersport Classes
Another standout performance came from 15-year-old Yamaha racer Hunter Charlett, who heads into round two with a perfect record after sweeping all six races across the 150 and 300 Supersport classes. His weekend also included two New Zealand Grand Prix titles, underlining his status as one of the championship’s rising stars.
Other riders to leave Ruapuna with maximum points were Zak Fuller (Honda) in the new Sportbike class and Jake Lewis (Yamaha) in Supersport 600.
Experience also shone through in the ProTwin class, where veteran Denis Charlett showed the way home to younger rivals, taking two convincing race wins aboard his Yamaha.
Sidecars Deliver the Drama
As always, the sidecar class added another layer of unpredictability to the weekend. While Spike Taylor and Bubba Taylor claimed two race wins, it was the pairing of Phillip Law and Angus Ravenwood who emerged with the New Zealand Grand Prix title.
Next Stop: Teretonga Park
With the championship already shaping up to be fiercely contested, round two of the Star Insure New Zealand Superbike Championship, presented by Bridgestone, heads south to Teretonga Park next weekend, where title battles across all classes are set to intensify.
Pics: ASP
Summary
The Star Insure New Zealand Superbike Championship kicked off in spectacular fashion at Ruapuna, with a record crowd witnessing close racing across all classes at the Iconic Motorbikes Superbike Grand Prix. Three different riders shared Superbike victories, setting up a wide-open title fight, while young Supersport standout Hunter Charlett dominated the 150 and 300 classes. Strong family attendance and fan-focused activations underlined a successful opening round ahead of round two at Teretonga Park in Invercargill.
FAQ
What happened at the NZ Superbike Championship round at Ruapuna?
The opening round of the NZ Superbike Championship at Ruapuna attracted a record crowd, featured three different Superbike race winners and delivered close racing across all classes.
Who won the Superbike races at Ruapuna?
Al Hoogenboezem, Rogan Chandler and Luca Durning each claimed Superbike race victories across the weekend.
Which rider stood out in the Supersport classes?
15-year-old Hunter Charlett dominated the Supersport 150 and 300 classes, taking six wins and two New Zealand Grand Prix titles.
What fan activities were introduced at Ruapuna?
New activations included a Pit Lane Walk, a street riders’ track cruise and a Legends signing session, all aimed at increasing fan engagement.
Where is the next round of NZSBK?
Round two of the NZ Superbike Championship takes place at Teretonga Park in Invercargill.
