F orget about what happened in December ’ s three-round Suzuki International Series because the slate was wiped clean and riders were starting afresh as the four-round NZSBK series kicked off at Mike Pero Motorsport Park , Ruapuna , on the outskirts of Christchurch , on the weekend of January 9-10 , with round two to follow just a week later , at Levels International Raceway , near Timaru . Christchurch ’ s defending national superbike champion Alastair Hoogenboezem had won three out of the four races he completed in the premier Formula One / Superbike class in the Suzuki International Series ( before
he left the series and headed home to prepare for the upcoming nationals ). Hoogenboezem ’ s absence from the Suzuki series ’ finale in Whanganui on Boxing Day left the way clear for Whakatane ’ s Mitch Rees to swoop in and claim the F1 / Superbike silverware , consistency being the order of the day for him . In the other premier category , the Formula Two / 600cc class , it was Upper Hutt ’ s Rogan Chandler who ruled the race track through the Suzuki International Series , winning three races from six starts and claiming that trophy for a second consecutive season .
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