NZ superbike riders

[mookie]

hey,was just wondering how our top NZ road racers such as Andrew stroud, bruce anstey etc would go like in WSB championship? cud u compare them to guys such as toseland? or are they not even in the same class as them, just curious for some opionins

[WINJA]

I Think Stroud Was A Backmarker For A Season

[MVnut]

Our top riders are right up there, Stroudy is already a World Champ, Anstey has cleaned up at the toughest road race circuits in the world,as has the Gremlin. And also in the dirt, MX, Enduro etc eg World Champ Katherine Prumm. Apologies to those I've left out. The 'Works' bikes as compared to privateer bikes are the ones in the different league. ciao.

[mookie]

yeah we sure have alot of awesome riders in NZ

[merv]

I Think Stroud Was A Backmarker For A Season

Yeah he got hold of a Muzzy Kawasaki that seemed way off the pace - rumours being it had all its go fast bits taken out before he got to ride it. More money was needed I would say.

Slight and Crafar got close but oh so far away in the 90's.

[mynameis]

Good thread, so may I ask why they aren't competing in WSB? I know there could be various reasons but is someone able to explain.

Would love to see some NZ reps on MotoGP or WSB. :)

[jimbo600]

Well most WSB teams require that the riders bring some form of sponsorship with them. NZ motorsport is so small it has little or no big name sponsprship making NZ riders uneconomical for a WSB or MotoGP team. If you want to make it big start young and get over to UK. Bruce and our own Shaun are world beaters on the Is (The ballsiest race on the planet) and bloody good on em. However I don't think we have any top WSB or MotoGP calibre riders. Saying that though Stroud did good on a privateer GSXR at Phillip Is last year.

[roogazza]

I think it has been proved many times going right back, that our top guys are as fast as any in the world given the Equip.
I remember a mate (Dave Hissy ) who was on top here in his day. First going to Bathhurst and blowing the Aussies off . Then went to England, did well at Isle of man and then to the then F1, and was third, I think from memory in that championship. F1 is now Superbike!
But the list of top Kiwis who went overseas and were right up there over the years is long. G. ps. Merv will list them !!!!!!

[R6_kid]

In his final season Slight missed the first 6(?) races and still managed to fight his way up to 8th(?) by the end of the season... not bad for a dude who wasnt even supposed to be on the track considering he had just been operated on to remove a brain tumor.

[thehollowmen]

yeah we sure have alot of awesome riders in NZ

All that practice doing runners payed off for them huh?
:blip:

[Brian d marge]

You would be suprised how many NZ race Engineers there are working at that top level!!

My guess would be Money , though how did Ansty crack it , did he go to england and purchase a bike or do the yards in the National series ??

Why then having made a bit of a dent , are now WSB rides being offered ? Motogp I can understand ?

But you want to see world class chamions , just pop over to MX 2 ....The nations trophy comming up soon will be good, NZ is hosting a big team , coppins , townley ( i think) and maybe coulmb( sp) he was 20th at sweden
NZ RULZ at mx

Stephen

[Korea]

You would be suprised how many NZ race Engineers there are working at that top level!!

Isn't Pedrosa/Hayden/HRC Honda's chief engineer in MotoGP a Kiwi? What's his name again?

Edit: Peter Benson.