Super-biker Rees itching to get back on track | Rotorua Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Rotorua
Super-biker Rees itching to get back on track
Former New Zealand Superbike Champion Tony Rees. PICTURE: ANDREW WARNER
By HAMISH RUTHERFORD in Whakatane
After a year toying with cars Kawerau's Tony Rees will return to superbike racing next weekend for the start of the national championship.
In a career which saw him win the 2001 New Zealand Superbike championship, the Production Bike championship five times and dozens of other meetings, Rees opted out of almost all motorcycle racing last season in favour of racing cars.
He finished third in the classic car class in this year's Targa Rally in the 1972 Holden Monaro he recently bought but dismissed racing cars seriously.
He said yesterday he had a renewed excitement for racing after his time off and predicted this year's championship could be the closest fought in years.
"Potentially up to a dozen guys could win the championship because all of the top teams look like they've got competitive bikes."
Rees said he may initially struggle for pace after the year off.
Rees had his first laps in anger on the company-supplied 1000cc Yamaha R1 at Taupo last weekend and believes the new bike has obvious potential.
"Taupo's not the best track for straight line speed but the way the bike feels the equipment will definitely be in the ballpark."
Yesterday his bike was in pieces on the floor of his Whakatane Yamaha dealership as he tries to find the right suspension set up for the first round of the championship at Ruapuna Raceway in Christchurch next weekend.
The five-round championship finishes back at Ruapuna for the John Britten Memorial race in March.
After a year toying with cars Kawerau's Tony Rees will return to superbike racing next weekend for the start of the national championship.
In a career which saw him win the 2001 New Zealand Superbike championship, the Production Bike championship five times and dozens of other meetings, Rees opted out of almost all motorcycle racing last season in favour of racing cars.
He finished third in the classic car class in this year's Targa Rally in the 1972 Holden Monaro he recently bought but dismissed racing cars seriously.
He said yesterday he had a renewed excitement for racing after his time off and predicted this year's championship could be the closest fought in years.
"Potentially up to a dozen guys could win the championship because all of the top teams look like they've got competitive bikes."
Rees said he may initially struggle for pace after the year off.
Rees had his first laps in anger on the company-supplied 1000cc Yamaha R1 at Taupo last weekend and believes the new bike has obvious potential.
"Taupo's not the best track for straight line speed but the way the bike feels the equipment will definitely be in the ballpark."
Yesterday his bike was in pieces on the floor of his Whakatane Yamaha dealership as he tries to find the right suspension set up for the first round of the championship at Ruapuna Raceway in Christchurch next weekend.
The five-round championship finishes back at Ruapuna for the John Britten Memorial race in March.
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