Whanganui’s Caleb Gilmore (Suzuki GSX150F, No.27) leads Sanson’s Shane Miller
(No.20) in this GIXXER Cup race during December’s Suzuki International Series
GIXXER CUP
LEGACY
LIVES ON
WORDS & PHOTOS: ANDY MCGECHAN, BIKESPORTNZ.COM
The legacy continues on for Suzuki New Zealand, its fledgling GIXXER Cup competition again
serving as motivation and an inspiration for many young Kiwi racers.
T
he GIXXER Cup class – with riders on
a level playing field by all racing on identical
Suzuki GSX150F bikes – has been an integral
and popular part of the Suzuki International
Series programme from the moment it was first
introduced in December 2017.
And the GIXXER Cup – and with the tagline
“Growing Future Champions” – has proven itself a
stimulating spectacle for each of these past
three years, the race action always incredibly
close and typically ending with a frenzied 10 or
12-bike jostle past the chequered flag.
The racing has often been so tight that the
riders would clip handlebars, nudge elbows or
lean into and rub one another’s paintwork in
almost every corner... and even down the fast
straights.
26 KIWI RIDER
It was edge-of-the-seat stuff for competitors
and spectators alike.
For this season’s three-round Suzuki
International Series, which again wrapped up on
the famous Cemetery Circuit in Whanganui on
Boxing Day, the organisers had removed the 14-21
years’ age restriction, allowing senior racers the
opportunity to compete in this low-cost, ultra-
competitive class.
Several of New Zealand’s leading 1000cc
superbike riders joined the 150cc action and they
also agreed to act as coaches and mentors to the
younger riders, many of whom were first-time
motorcycle road-racers.
And, rather than sour a winning recipe, this
initiative actually spiced things up and the
experienced “superstars” didn’t have everything