Auckland Motorcycle Club's Fast and Furious at Round 4

Wednesday 05 March: Fine weather greeted competitors at Round 4 of the Auckland Motorcycle Club Summer Series last Saturday at Hampton Downs.

Three rounds of racing were completed in a day marked by a number of early accidents, the most serious of which saw the first combined F1/F2 race red-flagged after a heavy fall from Grant Cullen, which resulted in him being air-lifted to hospital.
As the meeting progressed the action continued thick and fast, with considerable movement on a number of Class points tables.

Defending Champion, Daniel Mettam returned for another round of Hyosung Cup – sharing the spoils with Series leader Craig Stephens. Having missed the first two Rounds, Mettam has little chance to retain the title, but is a serious threat for line honours in any race, and is the wild-card amongst those fighting for the Series. Stephens continues his march towards the title and has extended his points lead over Gavin Veltmeyer to 98.

Mettam was also running F2, his primary focus for this season, but dropped further points to Toby Summers who won all three F2 races on the day. Mettam had his hands full with Aaron Hassan, who is showing a real turn of speed on the R6 Yamaha.

Once again Superlite (F3) saw the most action. Glen Orwin and

Neil Martin both did not start on the day; and Veltmeyer made a rare mistake in Race One, with a fall leading to a DNF. He came back to win Race Two, but Doug Stockwell (pictured right) took the opportunity to grab the F3 points lead overall. The Superlite title will surely now be decided between these two.

Stockwell also rode his SV Suzuki in the 650 ProTwin class, and consolidated his very good day by pulling back Royd Walker-Holt in the points – to be just 20 behind at the end of the day, after taking two race wins. Neil Martin did not start the ProTwin races either, so it appears Stockwell and Walker-Holt will be vying for the 650 ProTwin crown this summer.

Formula Auckland saw a miserable day for points leader Matt Drayson – a DNF in Race One and no further starts on the day meant zero points towards his challenge for the Formula Auckland title. Jaden Hassan swept all three races; with John Houben making amends for Round Three and reclaiming the points lead overall with a trio of second placing on the day.
Great also to have Sophie Lovett out on her Kawasaki; she would finish third in the F1 points for the day, just ahead of AMCC president Graham Bastow on his R1 Yamaha.

Post Classic Junior Pre 82 deserve a special mention; Trevor Taylor continuing his domination of the class. Trevor won all three races at the Round to take his tally for the season to 10 wins from 11 starts – beaten only once, by Trevor Discombe at Round Two; A terrific achievement.

Also of note in the Post Classic field – Grant Dalton (pictured left); the renowned yachtsman has a pool of 4-wheel experience from Porsche GT3 and Muscle Car competition, and is now aboard an XR69 Suzuki, with Graeme Crosby on the pit wall.

Points: Formula Auckland (F1)
162 John Houben
150 Jaden Hassan
111 Matt Drayson

Points: F2
243 Toby Summers
219 Daniel Mettam
126 Nathanael Diprose

Points: Superlite (F3)
188 Doug Stockwell
184 Gavin Veltmeyer
103 Neil Martin

The next AMCC Round will be at Round 5 at Hampton Downs on Sunday 16 March. Round 6 at Hampton Downs is on 06 April.

The 2013-2014 Series is being promoted and organised by the Auckland Motorcycle Club, who would like to acknowledge the support of Red Baron Motorcycles, Motomail, and Bikesport Ltd.

Copy and photos courtesy of Philip Kavermann.