Back to page

Motorcycle Racer Avalon's 2015 European Cup campaign

  • New Zealand Superlite champion! Race report round 4 2015 NZSBK

      20 March 2015
    Main image

    Hi guys,

    It has certainly been a big couple of weeks as I finished off the New Zealand national championships last weekend, before heading back up to Europe this weekend. As most of you will know by now I managed to win the NZ Superlite championships in Taupo! It was a great satisfaction to achieve one of my long time goals and win my first NZ championship. It was also great to share the moment with friends, family and supporters who have been part of the team for a long time, and of course to share it with all the rest of you now.

    The whole weekend at Taupo was fantastic, an awesome atmosphere filled the pits and the racing out on track was as close as ever. In the superlite class every race saw a three way battle for the lead between Leigh Tidman, Zayne Agate and myself. I needed to finish in the top 2 to win the championship on Saturday and I managed to do so. On Sunday I finished with a 2nd and a 3rd placing in the two races. So even though it was a win-less weekend for me I took away what I really wanted - the championship trophy.

    I'd like to thank everyone who made this possible and all those involved in making these last 5 months here at home so special!!! I managed to achieve many goals (including raising the funds to get back to Europe in 2015) and finally win a national championship which my Mum, Dad and I have spent so much time and effort attempting over the past 8 years. I know my Dad would be proud and really appreciate all those who have stepped in and to keep me racing!

    The racing here at home has been great practise and fitness during the European off season. It wouldn't have been possible of not for Chris Osborne who let me race with his Ozzy 450 for the Suzuki series held in December, and Greg Percival who ran his bike for me at nationals. Both of these guys went out of their way to give me the best equipment possible and allowed me to focus completely on riding as we never had one problem with the bike during a race weekend.

    Also my sponsors who have assistedin making this possible - Geoff and Gaye, WIL Sport, CIG, Formula Fit, Racesupplies NZ, Sidi boots, NGK, Auckland Motorcycle Club, Pole Position Travel, Deepweb and Backslips clothing - you are each just as special and I couldn't do this without their support! Thanks to Pirelli and Motul for keeping Greg's bike going strong all season.

    But most importantly, thanks to you guys!!!! The support this year has been phenomenal and always ensures that I give my best effort and be a positive role model.

    I hop the plane to Europe tomorrow so look forward to sending you another update soon!

    In the mean time you can check out this Sky Sport interview with me which was televised on SkySpeed: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=801907409878926&set=vb.134169363319404&type=2&theater

    Speak to you all soon,

    Avalon

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Race Report - 2015 New Zealand Championships rd 1

      10 March 2015
    Main image

    Hi Guys,

    This weekend was round 3 of the NZSBK New Zealand Superbike Championships held by Auckland Motorcycle Club at my 'home' track Hampton Downs.

    It was an action packed weekend right from the beginning with 170 entries meaning lots of bikes and riders and also the unpredictable weather mixing things up right throughout the weekend. We kicked off on Friday with free practise which went well despite not getting in much track time. Greg and I had been here testing with the R450 two weeks ago and we found a set up which I liked then, making things much more effortless throughout this weekend. On Friday night we also fitted a new Accossato master cylinder thanks to Connor London and Race Supplies NZ - it made an instant difference to the consistency of the brakes so we were really prepared for the races ahead.

    Saturday qualifying went as planned and I managed to qualify on pole by 0.8 seconds. The 8 lap race on Saturday was held in windy, stormy conditions but the track was mostly dry and I managed to make a pass on the last lap that gave me the win! It really was a great feeling and got the ball rolling for the rest of the weekend.

    Sunday saw two more races, the one in the afternoon being the New Zealand TT title. I was determined to keep up the winning and I stormed to a 6 second lead in the morning race. The afternoon's race was a lot closer as south Island rider Zayne Agate and I battled it out right to the finish line. We both broke my lap record from Saturday and I managed to set a new one at 1.09.6. On the final lap we caught a lapped rider coming up the hill to the line and I was able to take a good line (learnt from the close racing in the Hyosung cup!) and come away with my second New Zealand TT title.

    I was elated to do it in front of my family and friends who were there to support me and also my long time supporters Phil and Cheryl from WIL Sport. I really enjoyed being in the new WIL Sport pit set-up with Connor London over the weekend - we even had Sky Sport and Hayley Holt there filming us for a Sky Speed segment coming up soon. Its a real positive to see and be involved in the extra media coverage our sport is getting recently.

    Massive thanks to Greg Percival and his wife Jane of No Hair Racing because without them I wouldn't even be racing in New Zealand this season. Also thanks to our sponsors Rex and Charles Investment Group, WIL Sport, AMCC (who also ran a great race meeting), Formula Fit, Race Supplies, NGK, Sidi boots, Motul, Pirelli, Arai, Bike Rider magazine and Blue Wing Honda.

    The three wins over the weekend extended my lead in the overall standings to 58 points so the championship is looking good but we cant let up with 75 points still up for grabs this weekend at Taupo Motorsport Park.

    Hope to see you there! If not, stay tuned for the final 2015 NZ championships report next week.

    Avalon #21

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Hi Everyone!

      4 February 2015
    Main image

    I thought I would give you all a quick update on the practise I have been getting in for the fast-approaching 2015 European Cup campaign. Over the weekend we had some great racing in the WIL Sport Hyosung Cup at Hampton Downs. It was a real blast and I was able to finish up with two 5ths and a 7th place on the single cylindar X4R up against all the other twin cylinder bikes. The close racing which saw a 7 way battle for the lead was great practise for the EJC!

    Then, yesterday afternoon I was lucky to be back out at Hampton Downs, taking the Honda cbr650f machine that I will race in the European Women's Cup for a spin. It was so good to get a taster for what the bike will be like this season before even setting foot in Europe. I was really impressed with the speed of the bike, they make over 90 horsepower. Also the the way the bike handles and turns into the corners is great. Thanks to Blue Wing Honda for arranging for me to ride the 650 before heading off!!

    Thanks again for your support as well guys. All the extra support my Spark Campaign is receiving will help to purchase a bike like this to practise on up in Europe.

    But for now I am off to the gym to work on some strength and fitness :)

    Catch you all soon!

    Avalon

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • THANK YOU!!

      30 January 2015
    Main image

    Incredible! Thanks to you, my amazing Pledger's, we reached my crowd funding goal of $15,000 in just one day yesterday - and its still going up! I am incredibly humbled by all the support and want to say thank you for joining me on this journey in 2015. The European Junior Cup is going to be a huge, challenging opportunity and one made possible for this kiwi girl through your generous support. I do hope you enjoy following the journey and being part of the action.

    The Spark my Potential page is open until the 28th February so please continue to spread the link around. Any additional support will help me get more track time in and improve my chances of success at many of these tracks I have never been to before.

    Thanks again everyone. Your support is unbelievable and much appreciated.

    *If you are in the Auckland area and looking for something to do this weekend, come to Hampton Downs and check out the action in the WIL Sport Hyosung cup! Be sure to introduce yourself if you make it out :)

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment