The first round of South Island Cup for 2010 was held at Timaru last weekend. The weather was great and the results were just as good. I raced the 450 to three wins from three races in Formula 3 and had some good races on the bucket too (5th, 6th and 4th). So sit first in the F3 championship and 4th in the Bucket standings. You can read my race report here.
On the racing front I think it will be very quiet for winter. I am not going to race the 450 till September at the earliest. I may get an outing on the bucket in the Bears winter series at Ruapuna depending on dates. Till then, keep it rubber side down :)
Kirk
(15/4/2010)
Not really anything to report. The South Island Cup round for 7th March was postponed to a yet unconfirmed date. So next outing will be 11th April at Levels. I will be riding the bucket and 450 there, fingers crossed for some good weather!
Cheers
Kirk (11/3/10)
P.S. Have a look at these great photos taken by Dallas Alexander at Timaru. For more check out my gallery
.JPG)
.JPG)
The third round of the nationals was at Timaru last weekend and I have managed to get the race report sorted, you can read it here. It was a bit of a disappointing weekend but plenty of learning done in readiness for next year!
Sadly that is me for the 2010 championships, I am unable to competed in the final two North Island rounds. I will however be competing in the 2010 South Island cup. This kicks off at Teretonga on the 7th of March followed by Levels on the 10th of April. The final round at Ruapuna is yet to be scheduled.
Finally I just want to reiterate my gratitude for my sponsors. Without them it would make life a lot more difficult! If you can support their business in any way make sure you do. So thanks to Alexandra Panelbeaters, Alexandra Signs, Two Wheels Unlimited Alexandra, Shoei Helmets, Teknic Leathers, RK Chains, Afam Sprockets, Silkolene Oil and www.motorbikeparts.co.nz
Make sure you check back and see how I get on at Teretonga in 4 weeks time!
Cheers
Kirk (7/2/10)
The second round of the 2010 nationals is over and my results were an improvement over the weekend at Christchurch. You can read my report here.
If you are in or around Timaru this weekend make sure you pop out and have a look at some great racing action!
Cheers
Kirk (27/1/10)
The first round of the 2010 Castrol Power1 New Zealand Superbike Championships were held in Christchurch last weekend. Sadly the weather was crap and my results were much the same. Read my report here.
Check back next week to see how I go at Teretonga.
Remember that you can check the progress of the weekend at www.nzsbk.co.nz
Cheers
Kirk (20/1/10)
Good news, the bike is running again and I am on schedule to make it for the first round of the Castrol New Zealand Superbike Championships for 2010 this weekend at Ruapuna Raceway, Christchurch.
It was a very last minute effort to assemble the engine after some delays in the arrival of various parts from the USA. The bike fired up for the first time on Monday evening and everything seems to be in order.
So I will be seeing everyone at the track this weekend. Practice day is on Friday with Qualifying and Race 1 on Saturday and Race 2 & 3 on Sunday. With next to no preparation under my belt it will be a hard task but I am ready for the challenge. A top 3 position is possible but I will have to ride very well.
Check back for the report next week.
Kirk (13/1/10)
Well it's about time for another update. Not much has changed since the update below. My engine parts are on their way from the USA as we speak, fingers crossed they arrive before New Years. I may be able to get up to Levels for a CAMS meeting on the 9th of January for a shakedown before nationals. If not it will be straight to nationals at Ruapuna on the 16th/17th of January.
On a brighter note, Dave from Kiwirider managed to get a great photo of me when the bike was running at the Burt Munro. Doesn't the paintjob from Alexandra Panelbeaters look absolutely awesome!
Cheers
Kirk (19/12/09)
Sorry I haven't updated this for a while. I had been frantically preparing for the Burt Munro racing at Teretonga last weekend. The only way to describe the weekend is that it was a miserable failure. Qualifying was successful, with me qualifying fastest with a 1.06.6, the fastest time by 1.6s and I was feeling very confident for the races.
However things were not meant to be and most likely in the last lap or two of qualifying something happened to cylinder #1 and my engine is now dead. There has been a big failure with the piston, and the bore is quite badly marked. This along with the piston failure means that the most feasible option is looking like a completly new engine. Not the best thing to happen when an already tight budget is already stopping me from a good run into nationals.
On a slightly brighter note, Lee from the local paper "The News" ran a story on me and my new paint scheme last week, have a read here. Check out the great paint job and signwriting courtesy of Alexandra Panelbeaters and Alexandra Signs, pity the results weren't that good!
So I'm on the hunt for engine parts and hopefully I can get something sorted by the first week of January.
Till then, I hope I have some better news to report!
Kirk (3/12/09)
Well Labour Weekend has just passed and it was a fabulous day at the Greymouth Street Races on my bucket. The West Coast put on it's "typical" brilliant sunshine and the racing was great. I have put up a report of the days action here!
Next meeting for me is the Bert Munro at Teretonga on the 28th of this month. Till then, keep it shiny side up!
Cheers
Kirk (1/11/09)
A little bit of media exposure in relation the my new bike. A quick interview has been posted on Ian Dawson's website www.kiwiracer.co.nz check it out here
I have also added a new section under Videos. There is one short clip of me on the 450. Go and take a look.
Cheers
Kirk (8/10/09)
The 450 debut has been and gone and things were a resounding success. You can read my race report here and see how well I went. Keep checking back for progress on the new bike. I have a few meetings coming up and will keep everyone informed with my progress. Next outing is on the 10th of October at Teretonga, a training day but valuable tracktime. It will also be the first time a 450 has ever been ridden at a track in the South Island!
Cheers
Kirk (29/09/09)
P.S. I also need to announce that Silkolene Oils have come on board as a sponsor. Huge thanks the those guys, their product is fantastic and every bit of assistance helps. Have a look at my other sponsors here
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)
-002-a.jpg)
-003-a.jpg)
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 am currently looking for sponsors for this series so if you are interested please contact me at kirk (at) kirkpritchard.com
