Stroud Wins New Zealand TT Title

Tuesday 20 March: Andrew Stroud took a pair of impressive Superbike wins on his Suzuki at Hampton Downs on Sunday, including the prestigious New Zealand Tourist Trophy title.

Hamilton's Andrew Stroud leading on his Suzuki GSXR1000 at Hampton Downs on Sunday. Photo - Terry Stevenson.

Andrew Stroud had to work hard for both victories during the penultimate round of the 2012 Castrol Power 1 NZ Superbike Championship. He also closed a massive 40.5 point deficit to series leader Robbie Bugden (Australia) to be an achievable 10.5 points behind heading into the final round at Taupo on Sunday.

From second position on the grid the 44 year old veteran snatched the holeshot in the opening stanza but it wasn’t long before a three-way tussle developed between Bugden and James Smith (Christchurch), with all three Suzuki racers sharing the lead during a hectic battle.

Stroud’s experience shone through when he grabbed the lead at the right moment to cross the line first on his David Reid Homes Waikato GSXR1000 for a well deserved win.

Race 2 doubled as the NZ Tourist Trophy race, first held on Waiheke Island in 1932. After intermittent rain, Stroud began the race in a cautious mood on the dry yet still slippery surface, but it wasn’t long before he took the lead from a fast-paced Sloan Frost (Wellington) and Ray Clee (Kumeu). Frost and Stroud began a long duel for the 20 lap NZTT on a track known for chewing up Superbike tyres after less than ten laps.

Stroud had fitted Pirelli ‘slicks’ to his David Reid Homes Waikato GSXR1000 at the last moment and, despite tremendous pressure from Frost on a ‘slick’ shod BMW, Stroud held firm and again re-took the lead when it mattered, to earn his second win for the day and the NZ TT title.

Andrew Stroud: "Towards the end of the first race I noticed Robbie sliding around quite a lot going into the straight, but to set the lap record in the very last lap of a 20 lap race is just a real testament to my Pirellis’ durability and traction for the whole race. The Pirellis were just fantastic, I’m really happy with them, and the Suzuki has the speed and the handling, and the Ohlins guys helped me set it up really well, it’s just faultless!”

Bugden failed to complete the second race. "That’s made it interesting for the last round because if I won them both, and if Robbie (Bugden) got two seconds, he’ll still be half a point ahead of me for the championship! But Sloan (Frost) is riding well and he’s been to Taupo quite a bit lately, so hopefully he’ll be in the mix as well.”

Castrol Power 1 NZ Superbike Championship points standings (unofficial).

Robbie Bugden 132.5
Andrew Stroud 122.0
Sloan Frost 97.5
Nick Cole 91.5
James Smith 82.0

Round 5 is at Taupo Motorsport Park, Taupo, March 24-25

Copy and photos - Terry Stevenson