KAWASAKI’S COOPER GOING FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

February 27, 2023: Bay of Plenty’s Cody Cooper is going from strength to strength with his 2023 national motocross championships campaign.

Nobody would call him a greedy man, but the 39-year-old multi-time former national champion from Papamoa wants to keep adding to his bulging trophy cabinet and there’s no reason to suggest he might not even collect a couple more pieces of silverware before the year is out.

The Bridgestone Kawasaki Racing Team rider has been busy over the past few months, starting with his win in the premier MX1 class at the MX Fest extravaganza at Taupo’s 2022-23 season opener in late October.

He backed that up by easily winning his men’s 35-39 year’s class at the 2022 New Zealand Veterans’ and Women’s Motocross Championships near Cambridge just a week later.

Cooper then dominated the Waikato Motocross Championships series in December, this time opting to also race a 250cc version of his four-stroke Kawasaki and this time he comfortably won both the MX1 and MX2 categories.

That’s a mighty impressive build-up to the 2023 New Zealand Senior Motocross Championships and now, halfway through that series, he finds himself running away with the MX2 title and within strike range of clinching the MX1 class title as well.

Cody Cooper

The second round of four in the nationals was held at Horohoro, just south of Rotorua on Sunday and there he went on the charge again with his Kawasaki KX250.

He won two out of his three MX2 (250cc) races and finished third in the other at Horohoro on Sunday and, added to his hat-trick of wins at the series opener at Balclutha, in Southland, two weeks earlier, he has further enhanced his position at the top of the standings.

With five wins from six starts thus far, he is now 25 points clear of his nearest challenger, Oparau’s James Scott, with just two rounds at Taupo remaining, and this means – with 25 points on offer for a race win – he already has a full race up his sleeve.

The former national MX1 champion took his Kawasaki KX450 to line up also in MX1 class at Horohoro on Sunday and was back into familiar territory when he won the opening race of the day.

It was his first MX1 class race win of the series but, added to his solid podium finish in this class at Balclutha, he has moved up to now be just two points shy of the overall runner-up spot.

Mangakino’s Maximus Purvis leads the MX1 class by 10 points from Aucklander Hamish Harwood, with Cooper, figuratively speaking, nipping at Harwood’s rear wheel.

“I have the speed to win in both classes, but I am suffering a little bit with fatigue. Doing two classes is hard, although it does mean I’m fresh with knowledge about the how the track is changing between races. There are pluses and minuses with this.

“I always wanted to do two classes and I’m really loving the 250 bike, so I’m glad I’m riding it.

“I’ve got a month now before the final two rounds at Taupo, so I’ve got a bit of time to work more on my body, getting fitter.

Cody Cooper

“I feel I have made some great steps forward since my racing at Balclutha and I love the track at Taupo, so I’m feeling quite positive. My starts let me down a bit today, but I always seem to start well at Taupo, so that has me feeling positive too.”

Cooper, his fellow Bridgestone Kawasaki Racing Team riders and all the other title hopefuls are preparing now for the final phase of the nationals, a tough two days back-to-back in Taupo, round three of the series on Saturday, March 25, and the fourth and final round on the same turf the following day.

2023 New Zealand Motocross Championships:

  • Round one: February 12 – South Otago (at Balclutha);
  • Round two: February 26 – Rotorua (including women’s nationals);
  • Round three: March 19 – Hastings (including women’s nationals);
  • Round four: March 26 – Taupo (including women’s nationals).

 

Credit: Words by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

Keep up to date with the team on Facebook and Instagram. @BridgestoneKawasakiRaceTeam

KAWASAKI’S CODY COOPER IN A CLASS ALL OF HIS OWN

February 13, 2023: He is 39 years old and has a trophy cabinet that’s fit to burst, but Bay of Plenty’s Cody Cooper isn’t ready for the smoking pipe, slippers and retirement home option just yet.

The Kawasaki hero from Papamoa reckons he still has work to do and one of his tasks is to grab another national title, or possibly two, in this year’s senior New Zealand Motocross Championships.

The opening round of the Aon Insurance, Pirelli tyres and Fox apparel-sponsored series at Balclutha, in Southland, on Sunday was really the first major race on the 2023 calendar and the Bridgestone Kawasaki Racing Team rider was naturally eager to get out on the race track again.

Cooper had won the premier MX1 class at the MX Fest extravaganza in Taupo in late October and then went on to easily win his men’s 35-39 year’s class at the 2022 New Zealand Veterans’ and Women’s Motocross Championships near Cambridge a week later.

He then dominated the Waikato Motocross Championships series in December, this time opting to also race a 250cc version of his four-stroke Kawasaki and this time he comfortably won both the MX1 and MX2 categories.

With an impressive 2023 season build-up like that, his rivals might well have been worried and, if not worried, they should at least have been respectful.

Cooper certainly earned that respect at Balclutha on Sunday, eclipsing the entire field as he dominated the talent-laden MX2 class.

With three wins from three starts in the MX2 class, Cooper set a benchmark that will be hard to beat and, because of uncertainty regarding results behind him – with full results officially listed only as “pending” – he doesn’t really know who might be his main threat at the three remaining rounds of the series.

In addition to blitzing the MX2 class on Sunday, Cooper also finished the day third overall in the MX1 class, behind defending national MX1 champion Hamish Harwood and Mangakino’s Maximus Purvis.

“I’m pretty happy with that … I can’t complain,” said Cooper afterwards.

“I feel I need to work on some areas of my riding, but my starts were very good. I think I holeshot every race or at least in front by the time we were all heading to the second corner.

“I love the 250 because it’s more flexible, more supple. With the 450, I think it had too much power for this track, a little bit too much for me actually. We made a few changes to the 450 suspension and it was better after that.

“I can’t remember when I last raced a 250cc bike at the nationals … it was ages ago. I’m loving the smaller bike. It’s a stock bike and so much fun to ride.

“I might want to take a look at my hydration and diet in general, with me racing two classes it’s really tough. I’m happy with the speed, handling and reliability of the bikes … it’s just my body that needs some work,” he laughed.

The next round in the series is set for two weeks’ time on the outskirts of Rotorua (on February 26), followed by racing at Fernhill, near Hastings, on March 19 and, finally, at Taupo, on March 26.

The 2023 senior women’s motocross nationals will share the programme for the North Island rounds, enhancing even more the scale and importance of the racing this season.

It will be the first time that the senior women’s nationals will run in tandem with the corresponding men’s competition.

2023 New Zealand Motocross Championships:

  • Round one: February 12 – South Otago (at Balclutha);
  • Round two: February 26 – Rotorua (including women’s nationals);
  • Round three: March 19 – Hastings (including women’s nationals);
  • Round four: March 26 – Taupo (including women’s nationals).

 

Credit: Words and photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

Keep up to date with the team on Facebook and Instagram. @BridgestoneKawasakiRaceTeam

2023 Kawasaki Ultra 160 Jet Ski’s target class domination

 

Boasting outstanding performance plus precision engineering and incredible on-water handling, Kawasaki has unveiled two models in the ULTRA 160 Series as part of its 2023 JET SKI personal watercraft range.
The duo of normally aspirated runabout models share the highly acclaimed liquid-cooled, 1,498 cm3 In-Line Four-cylinder Ninja supersport-based engine of the STX 160 Series but similarities end there. In addition to a deep-V hull, which offers a balance of smooth performance and precise handling in a variety of water conditions, above the waterline the ULTRA 160LX-S and ULTRA 160LX are loaded with innovative features and equipment such as electronic cruise control, power mode selection and launch control allied to innovations such as KSD (Kawasaki Splash Deflectors) tried and tested on the 2022 ULTRA 310 Series.  Dynamic luxury styling shared with the supercharged flagship models drives home their position as class-leaders in the normally aspirated runabout segment.

Completely redesigned from the deck up, the new ‘23 ULTRA 160 Series models offer significantly higher levels of tech, comfort and convenience than their predecessors, the ULTRA LX, making them models of choice for touring in comfort and style.  New seats and foot well designs contribute to more comfortable ergonomics, while taller bumpers offer increased splash protection.  Kawasaki Smart Reverse with Deceleration (KSRD) enables one-handed thrust control plus a new seat with a front portion that is slimmer at the knees, greatly facilitates stand-up riding.

The ULTRA 160LX-S, or Luxury Sport boasts features such as a full colour 7” TFT offering multiple display modes, jog-dial control to select from three display modes, Bluetooth connectivity to Smartphones and other infotainment features.

Storage and docking convenience for both models is at premium levels with several Easy-Access storage compartments along with Easy-Access cleats allowing efficient docking. Another stand out trim feature for 2023 are LED bumper mounted accent lights which add a stylish touch while increasing craft awareness while afloat.

A rear-view camera is a standard fitment and the ULTRA deck (offering a broader staging platform and more room for stowing gear) acknowledges just how many aquatic recreational choices can be exploited.  Finally, sporty graphics and bright Candy Steel Furnace Orange define the luxury highlights of the 160LX-S.

Taking things to the next specification level, the 2023 ULTRA 160LX, LUXURY is destined to be supplied by Kawasaki Jet Ski dealers with all the great equipment of the 160LX-S, plus JETSOUND 4s featuring no less than four speakers plus Bluetooth connectivity, an ERGO-FIT LXury Seat offering enhanced cruising comfort and three possible positions plus a stylish meter visor creating an additional touch of class cementing Kawasaki’s dominance of the normally aspirated personal watercraft class.

2023 Ultra 160 colour ways:
ULTRA 160LX-S: Ebony / Candy Steel Furnace Orange
ULTRA 160LX: Ebony / Metallic Shadow Gold

Kawasaki to introduce Ninja ZX-4R four-cylinder Supersport

 
Kawasaki Motors Corporation has announced that it will launch a mid-weight, high performance machine in its famous Ninja range to be called the Ninja ZX-4R. Incorporating a newly designed engine and frame, the exciting new addition to Kawasaki’s Supersports line will also include Ninja ZX-4R SE and Ninja ZX-4RR variants in countries where they are introduced in February 2023 and thereafter. 

With specifications varying by market, the most powerful Ninja ZX-4R is equipped with a high-output engine that delivers an exceptional 80 PS in a lightweight, compact Ninja ZX-25R-based chassis for superior cornering performance and acceleration feeling. At its introduction, the Ninja ZX will be the only full-fairing supersport model in the 400cc class with a parallel four-cylinder engine. It inherits the aggressive appearance and premium equipment expected of the Ninja ZX family while refining the sensation-provoking exhaust sound of the high-revving four-cylinder engine.

Whether a seasoned rider or new to the joys of Supersport, Ninja ZX-4R riders will experience the exciting riding pleasure of the “APEX PREDATOR” concept on the racetrack or on the street.

At the heart of this immediately impressive machine is a newly developed 399cc liquid-cooled, parallel 4-cylinder DOHC engine based on technology from Kawasaki’s legendary Ninja ZX series of supersport machines, which is able to deliver a maximum output of 57 kW (77 PS) and 59 kW (80 PS) when ram air is pressurized*. The engine has been conceived to combine strong low- and mid-range torque with strong power at high rpm and in all riding situations, from daily use to on-track sport riding.

Equipped with Kawasaki’s world-famous Ram Air system that increases filling efficiency and contributes to improved engine performance, the air intake is located in the centre of the upper cowl, providing styling that is instantly recognisable as part of the Ninja ZX series. The Ram Air ducts are located on the left side of the front forks, leading to the airbox while the “Ram Air” stamping is visible to the rider to show off the performance of the Ram Air system. The ultra high-revving engine, which revs above 15,000 rpm, delivers the exhilarating exhaust sound that only a Kawasaki high-performance parallel four-cylinder engine can deliver.

In terms of chassis, the configuration is focused on excellent handling performance and is inspired by the chassis elements and design concept of the Ninja ZX-10RR World Superbike. Featuring a high-tensile steel trellis frame and a curved long-type swingarm, the frame achieves an idealised front-rear weight distribution plus an excellent balance of rigidity and flexibility, providing nimble handling and great rider feedback.

Showa’s advanced SFF-BP front fork (Ninja ZX-4R SE and Ninja ZX-4RR models feature a preload adjustment mechanism) is featured with the rear equipped with a horizontal back-link rear suspension system offering the same progressive characteristics of the Ninja ZX-10R supersport model, contributing to the superb handling performance typical of supersport models. Additionally, the Ninja ZX-4RR variant features the same type of Showa BFRC-lite rear shock as the Ninja ZX-10R.

Braking power is delivered via φ290mm semi-floating front twin discs and radial-mounted monobloc calipers, while the rear uses a large-diameter φ220mm disc. The overall package delivers powerful braking force and excellent brake feel, response and power. In terms of braking effectiveness and grip, the F120/R160 tyre combination adopted is designed to match the Ninja ZX-4R’s dynamic performance and provide excellent stability at high speeds.

At first sight there is no mistaking the lines of this new Ninja with its aggressive styling that exudes the power and instantaneous force that the Ninja ZX series is known for. The Ninja ZX-4R’s high-grade appearance is also enhanced by the use of LEDs for all lighting, from the twin-light headlight to the taillight.

Electronic rider aids also feature prominently on this latest Ninja with integrated riding modes that link KTRC (Kawasaki Traction Control) and Power Modes. From four different modes – Sport, Road, Rain, and Rider (Manual), the rider can easily select the appropriate setting to suit the riding conditions and his or her own riding style. Also fitted to the Ninja ZX-4R SE and Ninja ZX-4RR is a dual direction KQS (Kawasaki Quick Shifter) enabling clutchless shifting up/down.

The meter panel of the Ninja ZX-4R is equipped with a 4.3-inch full-digital colour LCD screen providing high visibility and a premium feel. It integrates a track mode that displays lap times, gear positions, and RPMs from 10,000 rpm and above in an easy-to-read manner. The Kawasaki RIDEOLOGY application can be used to connect to a Smartphone for a variety of functions, including recording GPS route information and vehicle riding information.

In addition to the Ninja ZX-4R, the following two variants are available:

Ninja ZX-4R SE:
This special edition model features original colours and graphics inspired by the machines of Kawasaki’s factory racing team, the Kawasaki Racing Team (KRT), as well as numerous accessories as standard equipment.
(Equipment)
-Dual direction KQS
-Smoked windshield
-USB power socket
-Frame Slider

Ninja ZX-4RR:
In addition to the original Kawasaki Racing Team-inspired colours and “RR” graphics, the rear suspension features Showa’s BFRC-lite, the same type used on the Ninja ZX-10R supersport model. This specification allows for a more sporty riding experience.
(Equipment)
-Dual direction KQS

Model Ninja ZX-4R / Ninja ZX-4R SE / Ninja ZX-4RR
Dimensions 1,990mm×765mm×1,110mm
Wheelbase 1,380mm
Ground Clearance 135mm
Seat Height 800mm
Caster/Trail 23.5° / 97mm
Engine type/ Valve system Water-cooled, Four-Stroke, Four-Cylinder
Capacity 399cm3
Bore and Stroke 57.0×39.1mm
Compression ratio 12.3:1
Starter Electric self-start
Ignition Battery and Coil (transistor ignition)
Lubrication method Wet Sump
Oil capacity 3.0L
Fuel supply Fuel injection
Transmission 6 speed
Clutch Wet multi-plate
Ratios 1st 2.929 (41/14)
2nd 2.056 (37/18)
3rd 1.619 (34/21)
4th 1.333 (32/24)
5th 1.154 (30/26)
6th 1.037 (28/27)
Primary/Secondary Reduction 2.029 (69/34) / 3.429 (48/14)
Frame layout Trellis (High Tensile Steel)
Suspension Front Telescopic
Rear Swingarm (Horizontal back link)
Tyre size Front 120/70ZR17M/C (58W)
Rear 160/60ZR17M/C (69W)
Brake type Front Dual disc 290mm (Outer diameter)
Rear Single disc 220mm(Outer diameter)
Steering angle (Left and Right) 35° / 35°
Vehicle weight Ninja ZX-4R / Ninja ZX-4RR: 188kg
Ninja ZX-4R SE: 189kg
Fuel capacity 15L
  • Specifications subject to change without notice
  • Specifications may vary by market
  • Introduction dates (and model variants introduced) may vary by market

Please contact your local Kawasaki for ETA and estimated pricing. www.kawasaki.co.nz/locate-dealer/

A sign of things to come from the new KMD Racing Team

10 January 2023

A sign of things to come from the new KMD Racing Team
Round 3 of the 6-round NZSBK Championship concluded over the weekend at Ruapuna with rookie Dale Finch taking his first ever premier class win in race 1 aboard his Ninja ZX-10R.
The changeable conditions on day 1 forced riders to run their wet setup. After a flying start, Dale pushed his lead out to almost 10 seconds before bringing home his first win. In race 2, Dale would run into trouble in under braking while leading again causing a red flag and a resultant DNF. Unfortunately race 3 was similar and another mistake ended his hopes at his first overall round victory.
Dave Sharp was also setting a hot pace and after a false start, he charged from the back of the pack to finish race 1 in 3rd place. Dave went on to round out the podium for the round in a solid 3rd and also sits 3rd in the championship.
Avalon Biddle was a little off the pace in race 1 on a slippery track but things improved considerably on day 2 in races 2 and 3. Avalon fought hard in race 2 from the mid-pack, setting impressive laptimes on the way forward to an eventual 5th place in the hotly contested Supersport 600 class. Race 3 was looking even better until an incident caused the race to be red-flagged.

 

Season Schedule

2022

Round 1 held at Taupo (Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park) on 3-4 December

Round 2 held at Feilding (Manfield) on 10-11 December

2023

Round 3 held at Ruapuna (Mike Pero Motorsport Park) on 7-8 January

Round 4 held at Teretonga Park Raceway on 14-15 January

Round 5 held at Hampton Downs (including Motofest) on 4-5 March

Round 6 Final held at Taupo (Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park) on 11-12 March

 

Keep up to date with the new team on Facebook and Instagram. @kiwimotorsportsdevelopment

 

KAWASAKI HERO DOMINATES AT WAIKATO CHAMPIONSHIPS

DECEMBER 5, 2022: Like a fine wine, Bay of Plenty motocross star Cody Cooper just seems to keep getting better with age.

Though considered a veteran in this traditionally young man’s pursuit, the Bridgestone Kawasaki Racing Team rider from Papamoa once again proved he’s still at the pinnacle of the sport and his rivals for the upcoming New Zealand Motocross Championships series will possibly need to lift their game just to be able to stick with the 39-year-old.

The multi-time former national MX1 champion dominated the elite MX1 class at first of two rounds in this year’s Waikato Motocross Championships near Huntly last month and then dealt up another solid performance at the final round near Te Kuiti on Sunday.

Cooper-Cody-0121-w

Current national MX1 champion Hamish Harwood (KTM), from West Auckland, actually won the day at Kuiti, but Cooper won the war, clinching the series honours outright.

Injuries meant Harwood had been a no-show at round one of this series last month, but his 1-2-1 score-card from his three MX1 class races at Te Kuiti on Sunday will obviously make him a threat to Cooper in the nationals in the New Year, although Cooper was downplaying that.

“With the duration of each race on Sunday of 18 minutes plus one lap, it gave me a chance to see where I am sitting fitness-wise. I have not been doing much endurance training lately, so overall I was pretty happy with how I performed. I’ll be doing a lot more riding over the next couple of months and I’ll only get better.”

With three wins, two runner-up finishes and a fourth placing from six starts in the two-event series, Cooper was easily the most dominant rider in the MX1 class throughout the series and comfortably wrapped up the title overall.

To further underscore Cooper’s strength, speed and power, the Kawasaki rider took a 250cc version of his bike to also win the series outright in the MX2 class.

Cooper scored three wins and three runner-up finishes in the MX2 class.

“The 250 was pretty good for standard suspension and engine and so forth. It’s impressive straight out of the packing crate. I’m loving these bikes,” said Cooper.

“I’m blown away by the 250 actually. It’s a stock standard machine and performs like a works bike.”

Cooper has won the MX1 class at the season-opening MX Fest extravaganza in Taupo in October and then went on to race at the New Zealand Veterans’ and Women’s Motocross Championships near Cambridge a week later. It was no surprise that he comfortably won the veteran men’s 35-39 years’ class at that event.

All of this must be ringing a few alarm bells for his rivals as Cooper seriously considers racing both the MX1 and MX2 classes at the four-round senior New Zealand Motocross Championships starting in Balclutha in February.

“By racing in two classes I was pretty tired at the end of the day at Te Kuiti, but I’ll be working hard on improving my fitness in the coming weeks,” Cooper warned.

In addition to the four-round nationals in February and March, Cooper will turn up to race his Kawasaki bikes at the big annual Whakatane Summercross just after Christmas, followed by the New Zealand Motocross Grand Prix at Woodville (in late January).

Other class winners at the Waikato Motocross Championships at Te Kuiti were Auckland’s Hamish Harwood (KTM, MX125); Mount Maunganui’s Roma Edwards (Honda, senior women); Titirangi’s Ryan Buxeda (KTM, veterans’ 35-44 years); Te Awamutu’s Bryce McDougall (Honda, veterans’ over-45 years); Buxeda (MX3); Te Kuiti’s Luke Riley (GasGas, junior support 85/150cc).

Credit: Words by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

Keep up to date with the team on Facebook and Instagram. @BridgestoneKawasakiRaceTeam

 

 

Kiwi Motorsports Development LTD sets sights on NZSBK series

1 December 2022

Kawasaki New Zealand (Kawasaki Motorcycle Distributors) is proud to support Kiwi Motorsports Development (KMD Racing) in the upcoming 2023 road racing season. KMD Racing, formerly known as DP Racing has undergone an identity overhaul since their conception in the early part of 2021 during the height of the pandemic.

One thing that has remained constant however is the leadership from team Owner/Manager Grant Shivas. Shivas, who has a background in 4-wheel motorsport, tasted the atmosphere of racing on 2-wheels relatively recently. The rest was history as he fell head-first down the rabbit-hole. He got his first taste supporting SS300 riders. They say the rolling stone gathers no moss, so Shivas jumped right in for the upcoming season taking 3 riders under his umbrella.

The 2023 season kicks off at Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park in Taupo on the 3rd and 4th of December. Consisting of 6 rounds with 2 rounds in the South Island, the series finale returns to Taupo on 11-12 March 2023.

The KMD Racing team will contest the NZSBK series aboard two new Ninja ZX-10R’s with riders Dave Sharp and 2021 Supersport 600 champion Dale Finch in the Superbike class. Recently married Avalon Lewis (né Biddle) also joins the team and will contest the Supersport class 600 aboard a Ninja ZX-6R. Lewis is no stranger to running up front and captured the title in 2019 on the same platform.

When asked about the season ahead, Avalon states,” Obviously, I’m super excited about the season ahead! With 6 rounds on the calendar, it’s going to be an action-packed Summer and I’m really looking forward to racing circuits such as Taupo and Teretonga again.

The ZX-6R is super fun to ride and I’m being treated to a new one this season. Despite not having much seat time I’m confident we will be competitive and battling for race wins in the Supersport 600 class when everything comes together.”

Caption: Avalon Lewis

Avalon receives continued support from long-time sponsor MTF Finance, and crewmembers Madi Berry and Jonny Brassel will be in her corner to ensure her ZX-6R is running at its best.

Seasoned ZX-10R campaigner Dave Sharp makes the move from his previous generation Ninja to the new platform saying, “The new model ZX-10R is such a thrill to ride with improvements almost everywhere over the previous model, so after a long wait I’m looking forward to lining up on the NZSBK grid.”

The team has had to overcome mammoth hurdles to get race-ready for the season. Starting the team from scratch, Grant enlisted the help of former Superbike racer Hayden Fitzgerald for suspension and experienced mechanic/rider in his own right, Brendan Price to build the bikes. Not only was there a short-supply of race parts during Covid times, many had either not been developed for the new generation ZX-10R or were earmarked for more established teams contesting BSB and other series.

Despite the logistic challenges, Shivas was excited to bring Dale Finch up from Supersport 600 and into the Superbike class after first seeing him ride. Dale remarked on his rookie season expectations,” I’m hoping to be competing at the pointy end of the field, I haven’t yet been able to gauge myself against anyone else yet but coming first round of nationals we will soon know how hard to work.”

He continues,” As soon as I jumped on the ZX-10R, I had a huge smile on my face. These things really are a time warp machine. To be honest I initially thought times would come easy but with the extra weight and power from the 600 it just adds to how crucial bike set up needs to be to use a superbike to its full potential. “

Caption: Dale Finch

Dave adds, “It’s a privilege to go racing with such a focused team who back us riders to achieve the best results we can. There has been a huge effort to get the bikes and the team ready to tackle Taupo this weekend.”

Caption: Dave Sharp

Kawasaki NZ’s Marketing Co-ordinator Alarn Young is positive about the season ahead, “We couldn’t be more pleased to partner with Grant and his team. Grant started with a blank slate and has achieved a lot before even setting rubber to track at an NZSBK race event. The team at Kawasaki NZ share Grant’s enthusiasm in motorcycle racing and we look forward to backing the team with the Ninja platform.”

Left to Right: Dani Sharp, Dave Sharp, Brendan Price, Jessica Shivas, Emily Shivas, Grant Shivas. Absent: Avalon Lewis, Jonny Brassel, Madi Berry, Hayden Fitzgerald, Jayden Scott, Simon Perry.

 

Season Schedule

2022

Round 1 held at Taupo (Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park) on 3-4 December

Round 2 held at Feilding (Manfield) on 10-11 December

2023

Round 3 held at Ruapuna (Mike Pero Motorsport Park) on 7-8 January

Round 4 held at Teretonga Park Raceway on 14-15 January

Round 5 held at Hampton Downs (including Motofest) on 4-5 March

Round 6 Final held at Taupo (Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park) on 11-12 March

 

Keep up to date with the new team on Facebook and Instagram. @kiwimotorsportsdevelopment

 

KAWASAKI HERO DOMINATES AT WAIKATO CHAMPIONSHIPS

7 November 2022

If it’s true that there’s no rest for the wicked, then Bay of plenty’s Cody Cooper must be a very bad boy indeed. And bad can mean very good in this sport.

The Bridgestone Kawasaki Racing Team rider from Papamoa won the premier MX1 class at the season-opening MX Fest extravaganza in Taupo two weeks ago, a feat that belies his “senior citizen” status in the sport as he beat all the rising young stars half his age.

The 39-year-old Cooper then went on to race at the New Zealand Veterans’ and Women’s Motocross Championships near Cambridge a week later. It was no surprise that he comfortably won the veteran men’s 35-39 years’ class.

With barely time to wash and refuel his distinctive green Kawasaki KX450 – and now with a 250cc version of the bike also locked in the back of his trailer – Cooper showed up at the first of two rounds for this year’s Waikato Motocross Championships near Huntly on Saturday, this time prepared and willing to race in two separate bike categories.

Cooper so dominated all three MX1 (450cc) class races at Huntly on Saturday that it seemed he was already back in the pits and taking a drink while the other riders were still finishing.

Te Puke’s Tyler Steiner (Honda) ended the day runner-up in the MX1 class, coming out ahead of Cooper’s Kawasaki team-mate Micah McGoldrick in the battle for the remaining podium positions at the Kawasaki New Zealand-sponsored event.

Cooper then took his stock standard, straight-out-of-the-crate Kawasaki KX250F to win the day’s first of three MX2 (250cc) class races, catching and passing fast-starting 18-year-old Kiwi international Brodie Connolly and then pulling away to take a commanding victory.

Things turned a little sour for Cooper after that when he became caught in traffic at the start on the second MX2 race. By the time he’d clawed his way up from seventh position and into second, Yamaha rider Connolly had opened up a seven-second lead and was fast disappearing over the horizon.

Cooper knuckled down to his work and started to reel in Connolly, but, when the chequered flag came out, Cooper was still five seconds adrift and forced to accept a rare defeat.

Connolly also won the day’s third and final MX2 race and claimed the class honours, with “old man” Cooper forced to settle for overall runner-up, with fellow Bridgestone Kawasaki Racing Team rider Jared Hannon, from Cambridge, completing the MX2 podium.

So, you could say it has been a busy three weeks for Cooper, but he’s showing no signs of slowing down, with a slew of major events still to come on his calendar.

“I feel pretty good actually,” he said, also not ruling out the possibility of also racing both the MX1 and MX2 classes at the 2023 nationals in February and March.

“I haven’t been getting the starts with the 250 and I’m still trying to work out a few things. I wanted to do two classes here (at Huntly) just as a test for my fitness.

“The 250 was pretty good for standard suspension and engine, etc. I’m loving these bikes.

“Coming up I’ve got the Auckland Motocross Championships (on November 19-20), then the second round of the Waikato Champs, then the Whakatane Summercross (in late December), followed by the New Zealand Motocross Grand Prix at Woodville (in late January) and then the four-round nationals after that.”

Other class winners on Saturday were New Plymouth’s Rian King (MX125); Otorohanga’s Zara Gray (senior women); Raetihi’s Karaitiana Horne (junior women); Levin’s Phoenix Van Dusschoten (junior 14-16 years’ 250cc); New Plymouth’s Rian King (junior 15-16 years’ 125); Karaka’s Hayden Draper (junior 12-14 years 125); Draper (junior 13-16 years’ 85cc); New Plymouth’s Travis Taylor (junior 11-12 years’ 85cc); Taupo’s Connor Feather (junior 8-10 years’ 85cc); Feather (Pro 65cc); Titirangi’s Ryan Buxeda (veterans’ 35-44 years); Waiuku’s Wayne Cheetham (veterans’ over-45 years); Waitara’s Kurtis Gooch (MX3).

Credit: Words by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

Keep up to date with the team on Facebook and Instagram. @BridgestoneKawasakiRaceTeam

 

 

NO SURPRISES AS GRAND PRIX RIDER DOMINATES NZ CHAMPS

OCTOBER 31, 2022:

It was perhaps appropriate that Kawasaki riders Courtney Duncan and Cody Cooper dominated proceedings in two of the key categories at the 2022 New Zealand Veterans’ and Women’s Motocross Championships at the weekend.

The popular annual event – which skipped a beat last year due to the pandemic – was sponsored by Kawasaki New Zealand and so emerald seemed to be “la couleur du jour” (the colour of the day) with many riders of the distinctive green bikes showing up at the track near Cambridge to put on a spectacular show of force.

Headlining the event was Otago’s triple women’s world champion Courtney Duncan, briefly at home following her blighted-by-injury 2022 campaign in Europe.

The defending world champion and factory Kawasaki team rider had been forced to accept an unfamiliar seventh overall finish this season after crashing out of racing at round two in Portugal back in April.

Duncan fractured her collarbone when she slipped off awkwardly on the second lap of the first practice session on day one of the Portuguese GP and the track doctor declined permission for her to continue. Her 2022 title defence was suddenly in tatters and there was eventually no coming back from that.

Therefore, her arrival at the Skyline MX track at Te Miro, on the outskirts of Cambridge, at the weekend was a rare but welcome New Zealand appearance for the now fully-recovered Kawasaki ace.

The large crowd at Cambridge certainly appreciated seeing the 26-year-old Duncan (KX250) on home soil and her speed and style was both dazzling and undeniable.

She won all three of her senior women’s class races on Saturday, despite crashing twice in race two, heading off teenage former Australian champion Taylah McCutcheon (Honda) and Tauranga’s recently-crowned British women’s motocross champion Roma Edwards (Honda), with defending New Zealand women’s champion Amie Roberts (Yamaha), from Hamilton, and Bridgestone Kawasaki Racing Team rider from Otorohanga, Zara Gray, rounding out the top five.

“It’s still about five months away from my 2023 season kick-off in Europe, so this event in Cambridge is not really part of my build-up for that,” she explained.

“It’s just that I’m home and the dates aligned for me and Kawasaki is the main sponsor here, so it was important to show up for them.

“It’s so cool to see the depth of talent here in the women’s grades and the sheer numbers too. When I grew up and started racing there wasn’t even a dedicated women’s class. So to see the numbers and the growth in the sport from when I started is phenomenal. Hopefully it can keep rising.”

It was a similarly dominant performance from Cody Cooper, racing his KX450F in the veteran men’s 35-39 years’ class.

The Bridgestone Kawasaki Racing Team rider continued on from his outright MX1 class win at the season-opening MX Fest event in Taupo a week earlier, this time fending off former national MX1 champion Justin McDonald (Honda), from Christchurch, and Raetihi’s Richard Horne (Kawasaki), on his way to an impressive hat-trick of wins.

The weekend’s event had been scheduled for two days, but torrential rain overnight on Saturday forced the organisers to abandon day two.

Other class winners at the weekend were Morrinsville’s Kieran Leigh (vets 30-34 years’ class); Tauranga’s Peter Broxholme (vets 40-44 years’ class); Te Awamutu’s Mark Penny (vets 45-49 years’ class); Whakatane’s Darren Capill (vets 50-54 years’ class); New Plymouth’s Mitch Rowe (vets 55-59 years’ class); Taupiri’s Mark Fuller (vets over-60 years’ class); Te Awamutu’s Graham Adams (vets over-70 years’ class); Raetihi’s Karaitiana Horne (junior women 125-250cc class); Matamata’s Penny Lang (junior women 85cc class); Blenheim’s Stacey Emms (vets women 30-39 years’ class) and Cambridge’s Sandra Hannon (vets women over-40 years’ class).

Credit: Words and photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

Courtney Duncan confirmed to race in the Kawasaki NZ Vets & Women’s Nationals

27 October 2022

Kawasaki’s triple World Women’s Motocross Champion Courtney Duncan treasures racing on home soil and she is excited to compete at the 2022 Kawasaki New Zealand Vets & Women’s Nationals, this weekend.

It’s been a long time since she lined up at this event’s start gate – about eight years by her reckoning – and the Dunedin-based, international star is looking forward to representing her brand on her green machine KX250.

Kawasaki New Zealand is the nationals’ naming rights sponsor and the event will be run by the Cambridge Motocross Club. The venue Skyline MX (205 Oliver Road, Te Miro), near Cambridge, is on private property and the track offers almost 360-degree views out towards the Kaimai ranges.

Three-time World Women’s Motocross Champion Courtney Duncan delighted fans when she spent the weekend at the recent KawiGirls Campout in Huntly.

Kawasaki New Zealand will fly Duncan and her mechanic Grant Cuthbertson north to attend the event, while her motorbike – kitted out with the familiar setup she’s accustomed to in Europe – is being driven up from her hometown for the race. A spare bike will also be available for Duncan.

The brand will set up a large pit area welcoming Kawasaki vets and women from around the country, including several South Island dealers (Dean Bond from Powerzone in Balclutha, plus Mark Howden and Justin Shaw from Motoworx Winton) who will be making the long trek up to Cambridge, to be a part of the action.

Duncan says her ride for the weekend is “pretty close to a stock cage 250 with some suspension on it and my graphics.”

Her main competition will come from visiting Australian Honda factory rider Taylah McCutcheon, who dominated the Senior Women’s class at last weekend’s MX Fest in Taupo; current British Women’s Champ Roma Edwards, of Mount Maunganui (Honda) and reigning New Zealand women’s champion Hamilton’s Amie Roberts (Yamaha).

“It’ll be cool racing in NZ with the girls. They are all racing well at the moment. It’s been a while since I competed against them, except for Roma, who I raced at the worlds in Spain. This weekend should be some fun and hopefully we have a good turnout,” Duncan says.

Kawasaki New Zealand’s Managing Director Shane Verhoeven says the brand is “excited to host Courtney at the Kawasaki New Zealand Vets & Women’s Nationals.”

“It’s a unique opportunity for New Zealanders to see our three-time World Champ race at a national event. It’s a rare occurrence considering her busy schedule and sponsor commitments.”

“We have a great Kawasaki line-up with Courtney’s stablemates Bridgestone Kawasaki Race Team’s Zara Gray, whose hometown is Cambridge and KawiGirls founder, Hamilton’s Mikayla Rowe, both entered. I expect the atmosphere to be electric with the profile of women’s motocross on the rise.”

Bridgestone Kawasaki Race Team’s rider Zara Gray, of Cambridge, will race at this weekend’s 2022 New Zealand Vets & Women’s Nationals.

KawiGirls founder, Hamilton’s Mikayla Rowe, will also represent the Kawasaki brand this weekend.

“We’ve provided Courtney with the tools to win, through ensuring her bike and mechanic make the trip up from the South Island to support her bid for the NZ title,” Verhoeven says.

This weekend provides some key track time for Duncan as part of her off-season.

“We’re putting programmes in place both off and on the bike that will hopefully be a bit more effective for the 2023 world champs. Obviously, this year was tough, which exposed me to a few weaknesses that I need to be better at mastering and I’m currently working on that,” she says.

This time of year, I have time to give back to the schools and local events like the KawiGirls Campout, plus do a bit for the industry and Kawasaki. All in all, I’m just enjoying my time at home before the season kick starts again,” Duncan wraps up.

More details about the 2022 Kawasaki NZ Vets & Women’s Nationals can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/cambridgeNZmx

Credit: Words by Catherine Pattison

Photos: Kawasaki NZ