CCMS Cup - Round 1 Race Report — Carl Cox Motorsport Cup

Hyosung Points | Ninja Points | Women’s Points

An unprecedented 313 days between Cup races has tested the resolve of us all. Five aborted attempts to get our 11th season started in 2021 was extremely frustrating. But we are finally underway and what a day it was. The weather was a pleasant 26 degrees, overcast at times and little wind. A record 44 Cup entries were making up a huge 131 total entry list for the first round of the AMCC Club Championships. We had 9 Ninja 400’s and 35 Hyosung 250’s. Our CCMS - WIL Sport Women’s Cup class ended up with 7 competitors after Amber and Turiana couldn’t make it. Still a great field of talented ladies.

With many Cup racers cross entered into the Junior class it was an opportunity to get in two practice sessions and some all important laps with bikes around you rather than a track day situation. Our current CCMS - WIL Sport Womens Cup Champion Kendal Dunlop wasted no time in giving notice that she is a serious contender for overall podium finishes this season with a excellent 6th place on the grid. Tam hickey was next quick chick in 22nd followed by new Cup rider Megan Kemp, Becki Newbury, Catherine Wood, Olivia Lunn and Kayla Craig. Overall Hyosung pole getter was Scotty Findlay on his GT250R (1:25.924) followed by guest rider Jacob Stroud on the X4R, the Rain Man Alex Butson and rounding out the front row Simon Beard. Newcomer to road racing and Jacob Stroud Racing recruit Beau Lowrie was an impressive 8th.

The Ninja Cup class was poled by Christchurch based Caleb Gilmore on the MTF Finance Barrys Point Road “Grazie Rossi” Ninja 400 (1:17.927). After a few months off bikes Caleb was ready to get some track action. Next to Caleb was current Ninja Cup Champion Chris Smith, then a returning Cup speedster Justin Reid, and Sean White. Row 2 was a gang of mates who were out to have ball and win the bragging rights in their pit, this was Blair Skelton, Andrew Boldero, Andy Ansell and then Cup new comer Cameron Kemp. Also new comer Tim Greene was on row 3 after his time was not recorded.

Race 1

Caleb settled into his work on the first lap and whilst still finding his way to some extent on the stock suspension Cup bike he had the speed to lead every lap. Chris passed a fast starting Justin “NO seat, No worries” Reid for 2nd on lap 3 and closed the gap to 0.700 with Caleb by the flag. Sean White followed home Justin for 4th with both riders posting 1:17’s on the way. Blair Skelton was having his first race on his new 400 and came home a fine 5th ahead of mates Andrew Boldero and Andy Ansell. Unfortunately we lost Tim Greene on lap 4, rider ok.

The Hyosung race was busy, to say the least. Ben Mayo came out hard and fast to lead lap 1. Scott Findlay and Jacob were not far away though and pounced on a mistake from Ben as did Simon Beard, Alex and new racer Beau Lowrie. Our leading lady was Kendal Dunlop home in an amazing 7th ahead of Hadleigh Thomson. Esmond Williams all the way from the Naki to re join us in the Cup on the Kiwi Bike Insurance GT250R was 9th was Brett Butler a very close 10th. All our Cup women racers were well in the mix with the guys and really impressed with their competitiveness. The order was Kendal, Tam, Megan Kemp, Kayla Craig, Catherine Wood, Becki Newbury and Olivia.

*Beau Lowrie, Simon Beard and Ben Mayo heading into Porsche*

Race 2

With a few race laps under his belt Caleb Gilmore went out hard in race 2 determined to break a chasing Chris Smith who was now on the MTF Finance Barry’s Point Road back up bike after a small issue couldn’t be resolved with his Ninja. A 7 second winning margin for Caleb saw him break into the 1:15’s for the first time and he looked comfortable at that pace. Justin Reid was 1.5 off Chris at the flag followed by Sean White, Tim Greene, Blair Skelton, Andrew Boldero and Andy Ansell. Unfortunately we had lost Cameron Kemp for the day after a crash in qualifying, rider ok. It was the Scott and Jacob show in the Hyosung Cup. These two went at it big time and was great to watch. Alex had a fairly lonely ride home for the final podium place but the Ben and Beau show was entertaining for 4th with just 0.05 between them. Kendal had another fantastic ride for 6th outright (also posting 3rd fastest lap) after battling with Simon Beard. A blanket covered Hadleigh, Esmond and Bretty Butler for 8th, 9th and 10th. Our women’s podium was again Kendal, Tam and Megan.

Race 3

We all look forward to our Le Mans start race which is always a joker in the pack for the typically fast front runners. Got to get the fire lit fast to avoid a massive concentration of bikes at turn 1. Some friendly jousting into turn one between Caleb and Chris and we knew it was on. Both getting away well and mixing it up on the first lap before Caleb turned up the wick to eventually win by 6.5 seconds. Chris had a good gap on Justin also who lead home Sean, a quickly improving Tim Greene and Blair with Andrew “B” and Andrew “A” finishing 7th and 8th.

With Jacob injured in a Junior race crash it was Alex who took the fight to a dominant Scotty Findlay. There was never more than a couple of bike lengths between them with Beau Lowrie getting through to 3rd. Kendal just got faster! 4th outright was so deserved and bringing her the best results of a women racer in the Cup since Avalon Biddle. Simon again followed Kendal home ahead of Hadleigh, Graeme Turner, new comer Nathan Finlay, a hard charging Rory Garvey and Bretty Butler. Our women’s podium a repeat with Tam and Megan 2nd and 3rd.

*Run Forest Run! This is what a 43 rider Le Mans start looks like.*

Race 4

Chris was determined to hang onto Caleb in the last Cup race of the day and that he did. The lead was swapped these two talented riders were a treat to watch. Only 0.2 was the gap with Caleb taking the clean sweep. Justin owned 3rd place and headed home Sean who was nursing a slightly tired looking front tyre. Next was Blair who was having a great day and then a 1 off guest appearance from ZX10 R Superbike rider Dave Sharp on Tim’s Ninja 400. Andrew B beat home Andrew A for 7th and 8th.

This was the race of the day for the Hyosung Cup boys and girls. Man this was good to watch as first time ever racer Beau Lowrie led home a group of 5 covered by 0.624. It went Beau, Alex, Scott, Simon and Ben mayo. So good. After doing double duty on a sidecar Kendal’s fitness was certainly tested in the last race but she rose to the challenge and came home in 6th ahead of Hadleigh, Esmond, Nathan Finlay, Rory and Bretty who likes 10th. No change in our Women’s podium. Kendal, Tam and Megan consistently owning those spots. All our Cup Chikas getting quicker each outing. The race track is a busy place with so many entries and these women don’t back away from a battle, really good to see.

To wrap up this was one of our best days racing. A record grid of riders, great weather, good attitudes and close finishes. For me some of the highlights were Beau Lowrie’s stunning debut, Kendal’s amazing performances, Megan debut, Race 4 Hyosung Cup, and also all the Cup new comers because they really did so well and will only learn from this first experience.

We are very lucky to have Cliff Field of TT Kiwis back with his brilliant videographer skills and also complimented now by Max of Wrexer Productions for some awesome photos. We look forward to Cliffs edited videos and all the attached photos provided kindly by Wrexer Productions.

Thank you guys.

A massive thank you also to our sponsors: Carl Cox Motorsport, WIL Sport, Kawasaki NZ, MTF Finance Barry’s Point Road, X-Lite Helmets, Bridgestone Moto, Kiwi Bike Insurance, Motul NZ and Auckland Motorcycle Club.

Our events couldn’t go ahead with all the dedicated volunteers and marshals who do such a good job of organising the day and keeping us safe.

Thanks to all of you.