2016

Kiwi’s knock the Aussies out of Oceania chase to claim victory

News

Next Gen Motorsports riders Sloan Frost and Ryan Hampton have collectively guided New Zealand to claim the 2016 FIM Oceania Road Racing Championship victory at Round 6 of the 2016 Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli (ASBK) last weekend.

The final round of the ASBK was a showdown of bikes on the grid with every Championship class going down to the wire, including the FIM Oceania Road Racing Championship, which saw the Kiwi’s lead coming in to the grand finale round on 39 points collectively.

It was a matter of consistency being key for these two New Zealand riders, as over both Round 5 at Morgan Park Raceway and Round 6 at Winton Motor Raceway, the boys shone across the finish line to wrangle enough points to overtake the defending 2015 Australian Oceania Champ Jon Daniels Racings Daniel Falzon and Oceania teammate DesmoSport Ducati’s Mike Jones.

Frost’s 9, 10 finishes saw him accumulate a total of 23 points while Hampton collected a total of 19 points after his 10, 13 finish. Unfortunately for the Australian duo a DNF in the first race and a 7^th place finish in the second race for Falzon only saw him finish on 14 points, while Jones’ 9, 7 added a final points score of 26 to the board but was unable to trump the Kiwi’s points.

For the second year running Hampton has successfully completed in the FIM Oceania Road Racing Championship, unfortunately last year he was unable to clinch the title. A complete turnaround from 2015’s events has Hampton in celebration mode as he shares what a tough year it has been but how humbled he is to take the win and to share it with family and friends.

“So it’s been a bit of an up and down season for both me personally and Team Next Gen Motorsports Suzuki. We knew that both Sloan and I would have our work cut out for us competing against Team Australia with the 2015 champion Mike Jones on the big Ducati and runner up Daniel Falzon who’s lifted his game even higher this year!” he started.

“Going into the last round at Winton and after Mikes misfortunes at Morgan park we knew we had a good chance of taking the Oceania title. Round 6 was rough for us but to take the title made it all worthwhile. To be representing your country is a great honor.

“For me it was the second year I’d rode for NZ and standing up there at the presentation was a great feeling, especially looking around and considering the company I was speaking in front of. I caught Mat Mladin listening in so that was something I won’t forget and was definitely a proud moment!

“I’ve had a lot of compliments and words of support from many different people of which I’m extremely grateful for. Big thank you to the NZ road race communities as well as friends and family for the words of support. Also thank you to Motorcycling Australia and Motorcycling NZ for the opportunity to be a part of the new direction for both parties, it’s a great honor!” Hampton concluded.

For more information on everything ASBK head to www.asbk.com.au, like the ASBK on Facebook or follow @asbk on Instagram. Also, please be advised that you can still catch all the action from Round 6 of the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli on the ASBK website, by following the live stream button on the home page.

FIM Oceania Road Racing Round 6 points: