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Well I have been eagerly counting down the nights till I finally get to see my new bike. The time has nearly arrived, this Friday will be the first time I have it on track. I am travelling up to Manfeild in the next few days to ride it at Round 5 of the Vicclub Winter Series. This is at Manfeild racetrack on Saturday and Sunday (24th/25th). Check back next week for a full race report and my first impressions of the new bike!
Cheers
Kirk (22/9/09)
Ok well I have been neglecting this site lately but there is a reason for that. Some dealings have been going on and there is some big news. I have recently sold my 125 and purchsed a Suzuki K7 GSXR600. This was raced in the NZ 600 class for the 2008 nationals. It is currently with trick engine tuner Chris Osbourne being modified to race in Formula 3. Usually referred to as a 450. Read here for more info
It will still be at this stage two months before I am on track but I will keep everyone updated with progress!
Till then, keep it rubber side down.
Kirk (03/08/09)
Here is a great photo courtesy of Andrew at Championship Digital taken at Pukekohe. Thanks Andrew!
Once again, a big thanks to all my sponsors. Alexandra Panelbeaters, Two Wheels Unlimited Alexandra, Afam Sprockets, RK Chains, Shoei Helmets and Teknic Leathers. I look forward to continuing to promote their businesses over the next season. Hopefully with some better results.
Well I have finally managed to get my report from Pukekohe up on the web. A bit of a disappointing weekend but plenty to learn from. Read my report here
I'm not sure when I will be racing again next, there isn't a whole heap on for a few months but I will keep everyone informed as to what will be happening.
Check out the great pics below supplied by Andy at bikesportnz.com check his website out for a great range of news on all things biking!
Cheers
Kirk (24/03/2009)
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My comeback was completed last weekend and the results were rather pleasing, read all about it here!
The injury is coming along, it was an interesting experience having the wires removed. Not something I would recommend to anyone, but if you are curious then have a look here!
Once again, a big thanks to all my sponsors. Alexandra Panelbeaters did an awesome paintjob on my bike, it looks absolutely fantastic. Two Wheels Unlimited (the local Alexandra bike shop) along with Shoei Helmets, Teknic Leathers, RK Chains, Afam sprockets and Spectro Oils. Big thanks to all the help!
I will be racing at Pukekohe on the weekend of the 7th to 8th of March, fingers crossed I can improve upon my Manfeild results and possibly bring home some silverware!
Cheers
Kirk (18/02/2009)
Well it's that time of year again, round 1 of the NZ Superbike championship kicks off this weekend at Teretonga, Invercargill. Obviously I am unable to race but will be spectating.
On the injury front nothing much has changed, I get my cast removed on Monday along with the wires pulled out. Will be an interesting experience. I will keep everyone informed, make sure you check back here regularly.
If anyone read Thursdays Southland Times you would have read this article it's some great exposure and hopefully I can get a few more articles run in the near future.
Cheers
Kirk (9/01/2009)
Well a happy new year to everyone and I hope you all had a great holiday!
I've been continuing down the road to recovery. At this stage the plan is to get the cast off and wires removed on the 12th of Jan. Which happens to be the Monday after the national championships kick off. Pretty depressing.
I do however have some good news. Shoei helmets and Teknic leathers have come to the party after my crash and I am now sponsored by these fine brands. I hope I can return the favor and bring as much exposure to them as possible. If you see below you will find the photo of my Shoei Raid 2 after my crash. It took a massive impact and is a testament to the quality of the product that I didn't have any type of concussion at all!
Well I think that is about all for now. Make sure you get down to your local track in the coming months to support the 2009 New Zealand Superbike Championships. The plan is still to get back for the Manfeild round on the weekend of the 14th of February.
Till next time
Kirk (1/01/2009)
Well it's been a busy couple of weeks, but sadly not in racing terms. I went up to Christchurch for the second King of Ruapuna round on the 23rd of November. With the sole objective of development for the NZ Champs starting in January, the day started well with a good practice session and a 2nd in the first race of the day. Then the beginning of a pretty gutting two weeks. On the warm up lap of the second race I was entering a corner (at 96kph the datalogger says) and my engine seized. Before I knew it I was rolling around on the track in a whole heap of pain.
Fast forward 6 hours and I'm being discharged from Christchurch hospital with a cast on my left arm. Broken radius/ulna in five places according to the Dr. My nationals are over before they have even begun, although a full campaign is still hopeful. Intending having my cast removed a week before the first round.
Fast forward another week and I have my first appointment with the Dr to check everything is in order. The news is again the worst possible and I'm sent to A&E at Dunedin hospital. The surgeon that examines me decides surgery is the only option, he also notices that I have badly broken my scaphoid (something the Christchurch Dr missed). So the next morning I have surgery to insert various pieces of metal into my wrist, along with another massive cast!
So all in all I'm pretty stuffed for probably another two months. I'm 90% sure I will miss the first three rounds of the 2009 series and am targetting round four at Manfeild on the 13th-15th of February. Fingers crossed.
I will keep you informed with my recovery.
Cheers
Kirk (7/12/2008)
 
It's been a busy couple of weeks. Between engine rebuilds, new engines, fairing sanding and travel I have also managed to acquire two new sponsors for the 2009 season. I am happy to announce that Alexandra Panelbeaters and Spectro Oils have both agreed to sponsor me. This is great news as times are tight and as we all know, this racing gig isn't cheap! Hopefully I can bring some good exposure to these two generous companies. I am still however looking for that elusive naming rights sponsor, so if you know of any make sure you get in contact with me at kirk(at)kirkpritchard.com
On the racing front, I went up to Christchurch for the first King of Ruapuna round on the 8th of November. Racing went well and I had a encouraging day, read my report here. Still plenty of work to do before nationals though. I have another 3 race meetings in the next 4 weeks (yippee). Check out my events calendar here for more details.
Till next time, seeya later
Kirk (19/11/08)
I've been a bit slack lately, although up till the end of September I had not raced much. I went up to Manfeild to race one of the Vic Club winter series rounds. It was a very well run event but the weather was patchy for the first day, read more in my race report here.
The summer is nearly here and that means the nationals race series is fast approaching. I will be racing at 4 more events before the end of the year with the next being King of Ruapuna on the 8th of November.
Catch ya later
Kirk (13/10/08)
Well the first round of King of Levels is nearly upon us. I am eagerly anticipating it, even though it is winter and not the best track conditions I will still be out there in preparation for the upcoming summer events.
The Battle of the Buckets were held in June, it was an absolutely terrible day but I was absolutely stoked that firstly my bike held together and secondly I finished up in an excellent 6thposition after 39 laps in the cold and sleet, only 17 of the 42 starters finished. I also won the classic section of the class. A tough 55 minutes but on reflection a very enjoyable and satisifying day. Check out my race report here. I also have a video in my video section of one of the races on the following day at the BEARS meeting. Have a look here.
Wish me luck for Levels on the 19th of July and I will endeavour to post a report.
Cheers
Kirk (8/7/2008)
P.S. I have a new email address for anyone wanting to contact me:
kirk (at) kirkpritchard.com
Both of the races held on the Sunday at Pukekohe have recently been shown on Sky. Check them out in my new video section here
As far as racing goes it is quiet for the next month or so. The bike is in the shed and I'm getting an itchy wrist. First meeting for the off season will be King of Levels Round 1 on the 19th of July.
Sadly it has also been released that this year the 125GP class will not be supporting the Australian MotoGP at Philip Island. This is a huge dissapointment. After last year's promising debut at one of the best tracks in the world I was really looking forward to showing the Auzzies how it is done. Fingers crossed they change their mind about it next year.
That's it from me for the mean time, keep it rubber side down!
Kirk (4/6/2008)
Well the 2008 season is done and dusted. Check out my final round report from Pukekohe here.
Overall the championship result was a bit dissapointing, only managing 7th. However I'm a much better rider and racer having experienced the last season. Bring on 2009, I've only got one goal in sight, WIN.
Cheers
Kirk
16/03/08
Four rounds down, one to go. I'm currently 6th equal in the championship with one round remaining. Have a look at the championship standings here.
My latest report can also be read here.
Until next time, keep it rubber side down.
Kirk
27/02/2008
Well the first three rounds of the 2008 NZ Superbike Championships are now over and my reports are all found here
I have had a mixed three weeks but now lie 7th in the championship standings. The next meeting is at Manfeild Autocourse just out of Palmerston North. Come check it out.
Cheers
Kirk
01/02/08
Well the new year is here and we all know what that means! Nationals are only 9 days away now. Since the last update I have fully rebuilt my engine and done two club days. Both days were just spent setting up the engine and chassis in readyness for the upcoming series. The anticipation is building. It's gonna be great to finally be in the thick of it again!
Be sure to check out a new site visordown to have a look at the NZ racing scene. Again thanks to my sponsor motorbikeparts
So I guess I will see you all there. Remember to sign my guestbook
Keep it rubber side down
Kirk (2/01/08)
Well now that the overseas experience is all done and dusted it is time to start preparing for the 2008 New Zealand Superbike Championships. This is contested over five rounds in January, February and March:
Round 1: Ruapuna, Christchurch - 11th-13th January
Round 2: Levels, Timaru - 18th-20th January
Round 3: Teretonga, Invercargil - 25th-27th January
Round 4: Manfeild, Feilding - 22th-24th February
Round 5: Pukekohe, Auckland - 7th-9th March
I am currently looking for sponsors for this series so if you are interested please contact me at kirk (at) kirkpritchard.com
Cheers
Kirk (30/10/07)
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