Easter Hours
...
Kawasaki H2R ridden by Scott Wilkins breaks NZ Landspeed Records
Scott Wilkins is no stranger to speed. With 5 years of Landspeed experience and his team pouring countless hours into perfecting the setup of the Kawasaki Ninja H2R for Landspeed NZ Records – Scott was able to undoubtably etch his name into the record books on Sunday.
The Landspeed New Zealand Association played host for the 2022 Timed Speed Event in the Central Plateau on the 6th of March. The event is in its 5th year having started its creation in 2015 by John Seccombe and a small group of speed enthusiasts. The maximum limit of 40 cars & bikes registered for the Event, with competitors travelling from as far as Dunedin and Kerikeri to take part in the action.
Across the Tag Heuer certified ¼ mile timed section, set in the centre of the 6km stretch of Goudies Road near Reporoa conditions were near perfect. Cloud cover and minimal wind setting the perfect stage for records to be broken.
With the event limited by Covid-19 restrictions and no spectators permitted, the comradery between competitors and supporters was electric. Co-operation and unity common themes of the day with racers bouncing advice off each-other to achieve their best times.
Attendees were seeing green with 3 of the top 5 motorcycle positions held by Kawasakis. The fastest speed was set by Wilkins on a H2R setting 364.5 kph one way and 358.4 kph being the two-way average. Not only did the time eclipse the motorcycle record, it broke all NZ records for wheel-driven vehicles.
Patrick Nussbaum (Turbocharged Suzuki Hayabusa) briefly held the NZ Motorcycle Landspeed record by recording an average two-way speed of 348.35 kph earlier in the day. Cole Scammel rounded out the podium for the day aboard his Turbo’d Suzuki Hayabusa with John Seccombe in 4th aboard a Kawasaki Ninja H2R, battling with a slipping clutch.
First of the naturally aspirated motorcycles was piloted by seasoned campaigner Walter Rands-Trevor. Walter is no stranger to landspeed having experienced Bonneville Salt Flats, USA. He managed to increase his Naturally Aspirated 1050cc NZ Motorcycle record by 1.55kph on the day. This was just enough to log a two-way average speed of 323.35 kph and break the coveted 200mph barrier.
The road to the top hasn’t been easy for Scott Wilkins and his team starting their Landspeed objective in 2017 with each landspeed event since being another milestone toward the ultimate goal. Knowing that minor tweaks to aerodynamics, ECU settings, tyres and bike setup can have major consequences at high-speed, getting as little as 10kph extra while travelling upward of 330kph is a mammoth task.
The years of knowledge within the Team proved indispensable on this journey to NZ Records. Brett Roberts (BRM) expertise to interpret data and tune the bike both in pre-race prep and on the day adjustments proved to be an unbeatable match. As the day wore on, richer mapping was necessary to get the most from the motorcycle – ensuring the possibility for man and machine to make NZ history.
Scott’s father and former Kawasaki New Zealand Owner Mike Wilkins, along with his wife Pam were ecstatic to see the record fall. They purchased the bike in 2016 when Mike retired from his role as Managing Director of Kawasaki NZ.
The “for closed-course only” Kawasaki Ninja H2R is a different animal when compared to the road-legal Ninja H2 and H2 Carbon models, featuring a factory claimed output calculation of 326hp. Scotts Team with the help of Brett Roberts were able to push this phenomenal number even further to over 350hp at the crank. This equated to a 303hp at the wheel in dyno conditions, an achievement in itself with only 998cc of displacement to play with.
From the stock H2R in 2017 with 267 hp at the rear wheel achieving 330.5 kph at the Cliffhanger speed trials in Masterton, to the highly tuned & modified H2R with 350 hp at the engine and 303 hp at the rear wheel achieving 264.5 kph in 2022 on Goudies Road, Reporoa.
Asking team owner & manager Mike what the key thing in achieving his goal was, he replied: “Two things. One; we needed a machine that had the engineering strength to absorb the power increase we gave it. For that we thank Kawasaki and number two; we needed a rider who has the courage and skills to ride the bike at that speed on a 7-metre-wide country road, who else but my son Scott. I am so proud of him.”
Now that Scott and his family’s goal has been realised, he plans on hanging up his boots within the Landspeed discipline. However, Scott has his hands in many pies and is a major driving force in the motorcycling fraternity, particularly within the NZ Flat Track scene so you’re bound to spot him wherever 2 wheels are involved.
FINAL RESULTS Goudies Road Reporoa 6th March 2022
| # | Rider | Bike | One Way Top Speed | Two Way Average |
| 1 | Scott Wilkins | Kawasaki H2R. S/C. 998cc | 364.5 | 358.4 |
| 2 | Patric Nussbaum | Suzuki Hayabusa. T/C 1349cc | 348.4 | 348.35 |
| 3 | Cole Scammel | Suzuki Hayabusa. T/C 1349cc | 336.3 | 333.45 |
| 4 | John Seccombe | Kawasaki H2R. S/C. 998cc | 329.8 | — |
| 5 | Walter Rands-Trevor | Kawasaki ZX10. 998cc | 325.1 | 323.35 |
| 6 | Laurie Vercoe | BMW S1000R. 998cc | 302.1 | 297.1 |
| 7 | Seerwan Jafar | Suzuki GSXR1000R. 998cc | 299.8 | 298.3 |
| 8 | Phillip Le-Haase | Ducati V4-SP. 1103cc | 298.9 | 297.45 |
| 9 | Chrissie Anderson | Ducati 1198SP. 1198cc | 289.1 | 214.3 |
| 10 | Geoff Shaw | Suzuki GSXR1000. 998cc | 281.1 | 279.05 |
| 11 | Paul Grant | Kawasaki ZX7R. 748cc | 275.1 | 264.2 |
| 12 | David Hunter | Ducati 1198 Corsa 1198cc | 271.3 | 263.5 |
| 13 | Ray Harkness | Triumph Daytona. 675cc | 258.7 | 255.95 |
| 14 | Ash Beck | Kawasaki ZZR600.T/C 1993 | 250.2 | 248.25 |
| 15 | Gavin Ure | Moto Morini. 2007 1200cc | 217.2 | 207.75 |
| 16 | Peter Lodge | Norton 1963. ES2 500cc | 211.5 | 202.3 |
| 17 | Jon Kingsley-Smith | Triumph Scrambler.1000cc | 197.9 | 178.65 |
Photo Credit: Steve Knowles
For more information on the Landspeed New Zealand Association visit https://www.landspeed.org.nz
Anniversary Weekend
-
Climb starts for Duncan after tough opening round
A less than ideal build up has meant for the first time in seven years, triple World Women’s Motocross (WMX) Champion Courtney Duncan has not won a race at the opening round.
The Palmerston-born Kiwi had been delayed in New Zealand waiting for her visa to come through, meaning she only arrived in Europe days before her first round in Italy.
“It was a difficult weekend to say the least. A P3 and P9 for sixth overall is not how you want to start the championship,” a disappointed Duncan says.
She began her 2022 campaign at the MXGP of Lombardia with a roar, grabbing the holeshot in race one and leading for the first laps. Landing slightly wide on a jump gave Dutch rider Lynn Valk enough of a gap to slip past Duncan.
As the race continued on Duncan’s least preferred surface of sand at the Mantova circuit, Nancy Van De Ven, of the Netherlands, managed to pass her for second.
It would end up being Van De Ven’s round victory as she went on to win race two and claim the red plate. A first corner crash meant Duncan’s second race was effectively doused before it fully began. Although she picked herself up quickly and charged through the pack, ninth was as high as she could get.
“The whole build up wasn’t great with only arriving in Europe this week and trying to acclimatize. I hadn’t ridden my KX250 race bike and went straight into the sand. All that puts you on the back foot and clearly it showed this weekend. I just wasn’t myself,” Duncan says.
If anyone has proved they have what it takes to claw back up to the top, it’s Duncan (25). She put in three long years of hard graft before lifting her first championship trophy in 2019 with Kawasaki’s Bike It Dixon Racing Team (DRT) and she won’t be losing sight of adding a fourth consecutive title after five more WMX rounds in September.
“I need to keep positive. It’s a long season and we’ll build from here,” Duncan vows.
Kawasaki New Zealand’s Managing Director Shane Verhoeven says: “Issues outside of Courtney’s control took its toll over the two races. With a little more preparation and acclimatisation I’m sure we’ll see the characteristic fight we’re used to. Courtney’s fans have been treated to many of her trademark comebacks over her career and this is a position she excels in. I look forward to the next round in Portugal.”
Duncan has a month to regroup before the second WMX round in Portugal on April 2.
WMX – Race 1 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Lynn Valk (NED, Yamaha), 25:10.327; 2. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, Yamaha), +0:06.374; 3. Courtney Duncan (NZL, Kawasaki), +0:06.658; 4. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:34.221; 5. Martine Hughes (NOR, Honda), +0:37.406; 6. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), +1:02.150; 7. Giorgia Blasigh (ITA, Yamaha), +1:20.566; 8. Malou Jakobsen (DEN, KTM), +1:22.264; 9. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), +1:24.444; 10. Anne Borchers (GER, Suzuki), +1:28.519;
WMX – Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, Yamaha), 25:38.399; 2. Lynn Valk (NED, Yamaha), +0:07.896; 3. Martine Hughes (NOR, Honda), +0:13.879; 4. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), +0:17.672; 5. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:30.600; 6. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Yamaha), +0:35.046; 7. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), +0:51.401; 8. Elisa Galvagno (ITA, Husqvarna), +0:56.345; 9. Courtney Duncan (NZL, Kawasaki), +1:01.276; 10. Mathea Seleboe (NOR, Yamaha), +1:17.014;
WMX – Overall Top 10 Classification: 1. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, YAM), 47 points; 2. Lynn Valk (NED, YAM), 47 p.; 3. Martine Hughes (NOR, HON), 36 p.; 4. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, KAW), 34 p.; 5. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), 33 p.; 6. Courtney Duncan (NZL, KAW), 32 p.; 7. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), 26 p.; 8. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, YAM), 25 p.; 9. Malou Jakobsen (DEN, KTM), 23 p.; 10. Giorgia Blasigh (ITA, YAM), 21 p.;
WMX – Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, YAM), 47 points; 2. Lynn Valk (NED, YAM), 47 p.; 3. Martine Hughes (NOR, HON), 36 p.; 4. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, KAW), 34 p.; 5. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), 33 p.; 6. Courtney Duncan (NZL, KAW), 32 p.; 7. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), 26 p.; 8. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, YAM), 25 p.; 9. Malou Jakobsen (DEN, KTM), 23 p.; 10. Giorgia Blasigh (ITA, YAM), 21 p.;
WMX – Manufacturers Classification: 1. Yamaha, 50 points; 2. Honda, 36 p.; 3. Kawasaki, 36 p.; 4. KTM, 33 p.; 5. Husqvarna, 19 p.; 6. Suzuki, 16 p.; 7. GASGAS, 1 p.;
Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
2022 FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship Calendar
Round 1: Saturday 5 March, MXGP of Lombardia, Mantova, Italy.
Round 2: Saturday 2 April, MXGP of Portugal, Agueda.
Round 3: Saturday 14 May, MXGP of Sardegna, Riola Sardo, Sardinia.
Round 4: Saturday 28 May, MXGP of Spain, intu Xanadú.
Round 5: Saturday 20 August, MXGP of Charente Maritime, St Jean d’Angely, France.
Round 6: Saturday 3 September, MXGP of Turkey, Afyonkarahisar.
Photo: Kawasaki Eu
Kawasaki unveils new River Mark corporate identity symbol
A company with over 120 years of heritage, Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI), encompasses manufacturing enterprises focusing on sea, land, air and even into deep space. Following the announcement of the creation of a new company within the Kawasaki group created to solely focus on the manufacture of motorcycles and stand-alone engines, Kawasaki Motors Ltd is now rolling out a new corporate identity which reflects both the heritage aspect of this global enterprise and to symbolise optimism of the future.
The River Mark – which is a stylised representation of the Japanese character meaning River – first appeared in the 1870’s at which time it was seen on the flags of ships owned by the Kawasaki Tsukiji Shipyard, the forerunner to Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Being formed by Shōzō Kawasaki in 1878, the company first concentrated on ship building fulfilling the desire for Japan to export goods, and for the island nation to take its place on the international trading arena. With a solid reputation for marine innovation and construction quality, the ambitious company soon expanded into civil engineering, rolling stock and steam engine manufacture finally breaking the bounds of earth by creating its first aircraft.
At key points during the century plus evolution of this vast company with its global reach and reputation, the River Mark has been used, its application being restricted to Kawasaki’s most significant products of their time. In the modern era, the River Mark once more came to prominence as it appeared boldly on the cowlings of the unique to Kawasaki, Ninja H2 and Ninja H2R machines powered by their in-house designed and manufactured supercharged engines unveiled in 2015.
Now, on 6 October 2021, Kawasaki has declared that the time is right to adopt the famous River Mark as its Corporate Identity symbol and for this simple yet effective round logo to be the main identifying symbol for the combined efforts of its many companies and their diverse products in both commercial and public consumer environments.
Commenting on the roll out of the new logo, Mr Masaya Tsuruno, Managing Director of Kawasaki Motors Europe said:
“The world has changed immeasurably in the century plus history of the Kawasaki company – none more so that in the past few years. As we roll out our new corporate identity with the River Mark at its core, we look to take a next, bold step in terms of technology and engineering as well as enhancing the lives of countless people around the world with a focus on sustainability and emerging green technologies. While some things change others remain constant such as our commitment to be the best in our chosen fields; the River Mark is a fitting symbol of this commitment.”
CLOSED Waitangi Weekend
-
Holiday Hours 2021
...
COURTNEY DUNCAN HAS WON HER THIRD CONSECUTIVE FIM WOMEN’S MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AT THE MXGP OF TRENTINO.
New Zealand’s Courtney Duncan has made it a three-peat, winning her third consecutive FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship at the MXGP of Trentino.
The breath-taking Pietramurata venue witnessed a truly deserving winner, as Bike it MTX Kawasaki’s Duncan overcame a hefty crash last weekend and a season-long battle with her rivals to win by a resounding 31 points.
Hitting the dirt in the first race at the penultimate round last weekend which slightly fractured her finger and left it with a nasty cut, did not hamper Duncan in her final charge to victory yesterday.
Demonstrating the race craft that comes with six years competing on the world circuit, Duncan rode calculatingly for third in the opening race. As carnage unfolded around her and her main competitor Italian Kiara Fontanesi went down after a collision with another rider, the Kiwi superstar rode through the finish flags with enough points to claim her third WMX winner’s gold plate.
“It comes down to how much it means to you, and how much is on the line and how much you want to win it. I was definitely feeling a little anxious but as soon as I got to the line, the helmet went on and I felt pretty controlled out there. I was able to finish third which was good enough to win the championship in the first one which was pretty crazy. I wasn’t expecting that.”
“This year’s been really tough. We’ve had ups and downs. Along the way it hasn’t been a smooth run. I’ve made the best out of every situation and got as much points as possible,” Duncan says.
In the opening race, Germany’s Larissa Papenmeier grabbed the holeshot with Fontanesi and Duncan a little further behind on the opening lap. Bad luck struck Fontanesi not long after as she went down hard.
Papenmeier then led Belgian Amandine Verstappen, Dutch rider Nancy Van De Ven and Duncan. The Kiwi caught onto Verstappen’s back wheel and passed her for third position on lap four. Meanwhile Van De Ven tried several times to get within striking distance of Papenmeier but could not make it happen as the German won the race. Van De Ven finished second, while Duncan crossed the line third as the 2021 WMX Champion.
In race two, Papenmeier took the holeshot again, as she led out Duncan and Fontanesi. Moments later the crowd witnessed a repeat of race one’s mishap, as Fontanesi went down again and faded to the back of the field.
Papenmeier then led Duncan, Dutchwoman Lynn Valk and Denmark’s Sara Andersen, but by the second lap, the freshly-crowned three-time world champ was able to get around the German.
Duncan then stretched the lead out to 4.391 seconds over Papenmeier who continued ahead of Valk and Van De Ven. The Kiwi had full control of the race until the chequered flag, and bought her 2021 season race win tally to five.
With a race win and a second, Papenmeier won the final round of the series, with Duncan second on the podium, while Van De Ven was third.
In terms of the championship, Van De Ven finished the 2021 season with the silver medal ahead of Fontanesi who had to settle for bronze.
With 268 points, Kawasaki win the WMX Manufacturers Championship ahead of Yamaha and GasGas.
Duncan was understandably thrilled and emotional in her post-race interview.
“Three times in a row with the same team, the same brand, it’s amazing. Words don’t describe it. I’m stoked on this weekend. Going 3-1 and winning the championship in the first race. Being able to clinch it with a race to go feels really great. I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported me this year. My team, everyone back home for getting up in the early hours to watch me race.”
She was out enjoying a dinner and celebrating winning their third world title together with her team.
“I got to share the victory with my team and Kawasaki and a couple of friends I have in Europe. It’s been awesome how there’s not so much Covid over here, so we had the whole team and fans watching this weekend.
Kawasaki New Zealand’s Managing Director Shane Verhoeven says: “We’re incredibly proud of how Courtney rode and her whole season really. The level in WMX has stepped up this year and it wasn’t easy but with a level head Courtney has achieved three in a row. Her experience is starting to show and she’s asserted her dominance with consistency this season. A huge congratulations from the team at Kawasaki New Zealand.”
Duncan now surpasses fellow New Zealand world champion Katherine Oberlin-Brown (nee Prumm) as the country’s most successful female motocross rider. Prumm won the FIM Women’s Motocross World Cup, which was the forerunner to the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship, in 2006 and 2007. The following year injury hampered Prumm’s title tilt, before a crash in training ended her motocross career in 2009.
The only blip on her radar is that Duncan has been unable to secure an MIQ spot to return to New Zealand now that her European race season is finished.
“Hopefully I can get one in the coming weeks. That would be ideal to be back with my friends and family for Christmas. Obviously, I have a lot of support back home that it’s not possible to race without, so it would be cool to get back and celebrate with those guys as well.”
MXGP of Trentino results
WMX – Race 1 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Yamaha), 24:30.310; 2. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, Yamaha), +0:02.596; 3. Courtney Duncan (NZL, Kawasaki), +0:03.889; 4. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:13.690; 5. Lynn Valk (NED, Husqvarna), +0:16.957; 6. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), +0:20.726; 7. Daniela Guillen (ESP, KTM), +0:27.670; 8. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), +0:29.202; 9. Tahlia Jade O’Hare (AUS, Honda), +0:51.209; 10. Malou Jakobsen (DEN, KTM), +0:59.109;
WMX – Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Courtney Duncan (NZL, Kawasaki), 24:51.718; 2. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Yamaha), +0:08.063; 3. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, Yamaha), +0:13.235; 4. Lynn Valk (NED, Husqvarna), +0:14.133; 5. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), +0:14.716; 6. Daniela Guillen (ESP, KTM), +0:30.848; 7. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, GASGAS), +0:38.501; 8. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:39.459; 9. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), +0:40.836; 10. Tahlia Jade O’Hare (AUS, Honda), +0:54.674;
WMX – Overall Top 10 Classification: 1. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, YAM), 47 points; 2. Courtney Duncan (NZL, KAW), 45 p.; 3. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, YAM), 42 p.; 4. Lynn Valk (NED, HUS), 34 p.; 5. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, KAW), 31 p.; 6. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), 29 p.; 7. Daniela Guillen (ESP, KTM), 29 p.; 8. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), 27 p.; 9. Tahlia Jade O’Hare (AUS, HON), 23 p.; 10. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, GAS), 20 p.;
WMX – Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Courtney Duncan (NZL, KAW), 268 points; 2. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, YAM), 237 p.; 3. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, GAS), 227 p.; 4. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, YAM), 214 p.; 5. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), 197 p.; 6. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, KAW), 184 p.; 7. Lynn Valk (NED, HUS), 174 p.; 8. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), 159 p.; 9. Daniela Guillen (ESP, KTM), 154 p.; 10. Tahlia Jade O’Hare (AUS, HON), 112 p.;
WMX – Manufacturers Classification: 1. Kawasaki, 268 points; 2. Yamaha, 246 p.; 3. GASGAS, 230 p.; 4. KTM, 213 p.; 5. Husqvarna, 174 p.; 6. Honda, 112 p.; 7. Suzuki, 39 p.;
PHOTOS CREDIT MXGP.
Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
2021 Women’s Motocross World Championship calendar
1 Saturday, July 24 GP of Czech Republic, Loket
2 Saturday, July 31 GP of Flanders-Belgium, Lommel
3 Saturday, September 4 GP of Turkey, Afyonkarahisar
4 Tuesday, September 7 GP of Afyon, Afyonkarahisar
5 Saturday, October 16 GP of Spain, intu Xanadu-Arroyomolinos
6 Sunday, October 24 – GP of Trentino, Pietramurata
Words: Catherine Pattison
