
Christchurch's Euromarque Motorsport Park Will Host Round One Of The 2026 Championship
Series promoter Mike Marsden says it's great to be heading back to Ruapuna in 2026 for the first leg of the South Island Series double header.
'I am very pleased to have now confirmed dates and tracks for the four-round 2026 championship series,' says Marsden. 'It's really important to set the calendar dates as early as possible for competitors so they can plan accordingly.
'I am especially pleased to have Ruapuna in the mix and look forward to tapping into the large Christchurch fan base and delivering a fantastic show both on and off the track.'
Round 2 will be the Burt Munro Challenge at Teretonga on February 7-8.
The two North Island rounds will be MotoFest at Hampton Downs on March 7-8 andMotoMania at Taupo on March 14-15.
2026 Star Insure NZ Superbike Series Calendar
ROUND 2 - Burt Munro Superbike Sprint - Teretonga, Invercargill, February7-8
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NZ Herald
31-07-2025
- NZ Herald
Waikato tourism sector shows growth and resilience, celebrates events funding
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Photo / Danielle Zollickhofer 'This is a stand-out event on our local calendar that brings motorsport fans to the region, supports local businesses, and showcases what makes north Waikato such a great destination.' Waipā District Mayor Susan O'Regan said the funding was also a 'big win for Waipā' as the district focused on creating vibrant and connected communities. 'These events ... give our community something to celebrate and enjoy together. 'It's not just about continuing our flagship events but also expanding into new ones that strengthen our place on the national events calendar.' Hamilton and Waikato Tourism chief executive Nicola Greenwell. The Regional Events Promotion Fund was a contestable fund over two financial years to support regions in hosting local events attracting domestic tourists. The fund was established using $5 million from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy ($2.375m for round one and $2.652m for round two). 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Popular funded events included the Middle-earth Half Marathon in Hobbiton, the inaugural ITM Taupō Super400 motorsport event, the New Zealand Blues and BBQ Festival in Rotorua and the Ohakune Blues and Roots Festival. 'Not only has the funding brought some entirely new events to our communities ... but it has also helped build local capability, creating a legacy that will last for decades.' 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Otago Daily Times
25-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
‘Massive honour' to win awards: Buchanan
Cormac Buchanan made his Moto3 World Championship debut in Thailand earlier this year. PHOTO: MANU TORMO Southland rider Cormac Buchanan scooped two big awards at the Motorcycling New Zealand awards in Wellington on Saturday. Buchanan, who is currently competing in the Moto3 World Championship, was named male rider of the year and best up and coming road rider at the awards. Southland rider Jack Symon was also a finalist. Buchanan's two awards are testament to his breakthrough year in 2024 where he successfully defended the 600 SuperSport Championship title at NZSBK before returning to Europe where he claimed three podiums and a pole position at the FIM JuniorGP world championship, ultimately earning him a Moto3 contract. "It's a massive honour to win both of these awards," Buchanan said. "When you look on the Male Rider of the Year trophy and see your name now engraved beside riders like Jake Lewis and Shane Richardson, it is really humbling. "I've been lucky enough to learn from both of them, not only as a racer but as a person." It was a big night for the Southland Motorcycle Club, which was named club of the year for delivering the Burt Munro Challenge. "It was proud night for the club and fantastic to see everyone's hard work recognised," president Bill Moffatt said. "Like the majority of sporting clubs throughout New Zealand, ours is run by passionate volunteers and this award is a credit to them and the countless hours each puts in so our riders can do what they love. "Cormac and Jack are both incredibly talented racers who represent our club in their respective disciplines with a high degree of professionalism and we are naturally proud of their latest achievements." First staged in 2006, the Burt Munro Challenge has established itself as the largest motorcycle rally in the southern hemisphere. Last year, a round of the New Zealand Superbike Championship (NZSBK) was incorporated into the mix, adding another element for the club to run successfully. Buchanan has acted as an ambassador for the Burt Munro Challenge for the past six years. "Regardless of where I'm racing around the world, I just have to glance down at that Burt Munro logo on my leathers for a little piece of home so it's amazing to have their support throughout this journey," Buchanan said. "The Southland club has played a massive part in my racing — they were the first to encourage me on to the track and have been right behind me ever since. "I'm an incredibly proud Southlander." — APL

Scoop
21-05-2025
- Scoop
New Zealand's Premier Motorcycle Series Welcomes Official Tyre Supplier
Racers in all categories of next year's Star Insure NZ Superbike Championship Series will be starting out with one thing in common – Bridgestone tyres. The move to a single-make official tyre is one of the key initiatives introduced by promoter Mike Marsden to the new-look series. "It was a big step and one that had to happen in my mind," says Marsden, who took over promotion of the series last year. "The championship was dying and there was a need for big changes to not only boost the profile of the series, but also give riders better value and I am really pleased to now have the support of the paddock on this. "An official tyre was a top priority, and was always going to be a challenge, but we have now achieved that, which is a critical step along the path to the commercial viability and sustainability of the Series. "Bridgestone Moto NZ, through New Zealand importer Whites Powersports, have come on board with a great package, which means riders will be getting cheaper race tyres and a level of service not seen before at the top level.' Marsden says official tyres are a proven model in motorsports worldwide, offering financial stability for a racing series and providing the resources for reinvestment into the sport. As part of the deal, Star Insure NZSBK riders will pay 15% less for the already cost-effective Bridgestone racing tyres, while tyres for the Supersport 150cc class will be free. 'The fundamental outcome for us is to assist in making road-racing in New Zealand cheaper and more accessible to the racing community,' Whites Powersports Group General Manager Adrian Cox says.'We will also provide a consistent supply of stock to ensure a better service and experience for the NZSBK participants.' Bridgestone Moto NZ, through Whites Powersports, are making it fast and easy for racers and track day enthusiasts to access Bridgestone's racing tyre options. As of this week, Bridgestone racing products can be bought on and will be shipped directly to the buyer. Shipping cost is calculated at checkout with a maximum fee of $60, and all tyres sold will incur a regulation Tyrewise Tyre Stewardship Fee, as per Tyrewise requirements. In addition, 2026 Star Insure NZSBK Series entrants will get a further discount on racing products to help create a fairer and more cost-effective series. The special pricing will be available only to those racers with a confirmed NZSBK Series entry. Some competitors are already seeing value from the switch and looking forward to the benefits. Rogan Chandler, who finished third overall in the 2025 Star Insure NZSBK Superbike Series, raced a Bridgestone-shodM1 Motorsport BMW all through last season. "They are certainly competitive," Chandler says. "We were at the pointy end all season. "Of course, some setup changes will be required for most bikes and the riders will have to adapt also, but that's racing. "I'm looking forward to seeing the setup direction people take and what I and the team can learn from the rest of the field." Multi NZSBK Champion Sloan Frost has been using Bridgestone tyres with his son Nixon in the 300 class. "Nixon recently did back-to-back tests with Bridgestone tyres on the 300 and found the bike was more stable without any set up changes which resulted in consistent lap times within 10thsof the lap record throughout an entire day of racing," Frost says."We were so impressed with the tyre that we have decided to compete in Australian championship on Bridgestone's also. "I think it's a great direction for the New Zealand championship to have a constant supply at competitive pricing. "With the consistency of grip level that we see from the Bridgestone tyres we will be able to reduce consumption, waste and costs while maintaining a level playing field." Helicraft Racing's Tyler King and Harriet Grace have also tested the new official tyres at a recent Ruapuna meeting and both were impressed. While team owner Rod Price worked through suspension, geometry and tyre pressure changes on Tyler's MV Agusta 800,Harriet rode her Yamaha R3 without changes. "The tyres were good . . . We think they'll be fine," Tyler says. "The Bridgestone's were great. They felt super grippy and I was very comfortable to push on them – and get a new PB lap!" Harriet says.



