MOIR CLOSES-IN ON NEW ZEALAND F1 TITLE


Team Suzuki Press Office - December 17.

Scott Moir – GSX-R1000 – 4-2 - 2nd overall

Suzuki’s defending F1 Champion Scott Moir has moved into contention to lift this year’s Suzuki Tri-Series Championship after finishing second at the weekend’s penultimate round at Manfeild in New Zealand.

The 35 year old finished the day overall runner-up at the 2018 series opener on his home track just over a week ago and, while he is still in the No.2 position after Sunday’s second round at Manfeild, Moir has reduced his deficit to just three points from Shane Richardson.

Moir took his Suzuki GSX-R1000 to qualify fastest early on Sunday morning, then followed that up by finishing second and fourth in the two Formula One Superbike races that afternoon.

Richardson finished fourth and second at Manfeild and so the battle for F1 glory will go down to the wire.

There is just a short break before the series has its third at final round, the traditional public street race spectacular on Boxing Day, the bikes on that iconic once-a-year occasion being raced around Whanganui's famous Cemetery Circuit.
Moir dominated the day at Whanganui last year, qualifying fastest and then finishing first and second in his two F1 races – his runner-up finish in race two behind another Suzuki GSX-R1000 rider, Jay Lawrence. Moir also went on to win the coveted Robert Holden Memorial Feature Race.

"It's definitely a possibility that I could win again on the Cemetery Circuit," said Moir.

"Shane (Richardson) will be strong there, but he was only on a 600cc bike when he last raced there, so we don't know how well he'll go on the streets on a 1000cc bike. I just need to keep in front of Shane at Whanganui really."

Series Standings:

Formula One Superbikes: 1. Shane Richardson 84 points; 2. Scott Moir (Suzuki GSX-R1000) 81; 3. Peter Hickman 36.

NZ Suzuki GIXXER Cup: 1= Zak Fuller (Suzuki) and Jesse Stroud (Suzuki) 90 points; 3. Clark Fountain (Suzuki) 88.

Words and photo by Andy McGechan @ www.bikesportnz.com
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