In perfect track conditions, Invercargill’s Cormac Buchanan put on his best performance at the New Zealand Superbike (NZSBK) Championships at Teretonga raceway last weekend (14-15 Jan).

Buchanan, a Altherm Yamaha Racing Development Team (YRDT) member, notched up two pole positions, five race wins, and two lap records in both the Supersport 600 and Supersport 300 classes.

His most notable achievements were the two 600 race wins and smashing this category’s record by a second in just his fourth race weekend on the Yamaha YZF-R6, which he only rode for the first time nine weeks ago. 

“It was very close to the perfect weekend. I didn’t expect to be as fast as I was on the 600 but I’ll take it any day,” Buchanan said.

He retained his unbeaten streak in the Supersport 300 category after three rounds but it was the bigger capacity class where he really shone.

“I got the 600 bike buttoned down quickly and got my confidence up fast to be on the lap record pace at the end of the first day.”

Race 1 saw that set-up pay off and Buchanan headed the field home to take his first Supersport 600 win and record a 59.260sec fastest lap, breaking Shane Richardson’s lap record in the process. 

The second race played out in a similar fashion, with another win and Buchanan whittling down the lap record again to 58.777secs. It was also a second consecutive YRDT 1 - 2, with teammate Jake Lewis finishing runner up both times.

“The last 600 race didn’t go to plan as the chain snapped off when I was leading, resulting in a DNF. It was really frustrating as I was leading the race by 5secs and looking on course to go 6 for 6 in the wins,” Buchanan said.

 Jake Lewis leads the Supersport 600 championship for the Altherm Yamaha Racing Development Team. Photo: Aaron Staples Photography

He channelled that disappointment into his third Supersport 300 race - winning it by a huge 11.159secs and breaking the lap record.

“To be the first-ever 600 to go under a 59sec lap around Teretonga is pretty cool. Going into the weekend to get anywhere near a 59 seemed impossible. When I got to the low 59s early on, I knew I had more in the tank and could push for a 58. The suspension from Robert Taylor was working like a dream and we were able to do 58s this weekend,” Buchanan said.

He credited his YRDT teammate Lewis for their positive working relationship and was pleased they could achieve the pair of 1-2 results. They are close to achieving the same positions in the championship overall, with Lewis leading on 137 points and Buchanan currently in third on 116 points.

Three YRDT riders, Alastair Hoogenboezem (Superbike), Jake Lewis (Supersport 600) and Cormac Buchanan (Supersport 600 and 300) clocked up race wins, lap records and multiple podiums over the weekend.

NZSBK Round Four Results:

Superbike

1st Mitch Rees – 71

2nd Alastair Hoogenboezem (YZF-R1) – 65

3rd Dave Sharp – 42

Supersport 600

1st Jake Lewis (YZF-R6) – 65

2nd Rogan Chandler – 52 

3rd Cormac Buchanan (YZF-R6) – 51 

Supersport 300 

1st Cormac Buchanan (YZF-R3) – 76

2nd Jesse Stroud (YZF-R3) – 60  

3rd Dennis Charlett (YZF-R3) – 45 

Supersport 150 

1st Nixon Frost (YZF-R15) – 71

2nd Hunter Charlett (YZF-R15) – 65

3rd Lucas Guthrie (YZF-R15) – 48

NZSBK Championship Standing (R2, R3 & R4 Combined)

Superbike 

1st Mitch Rees – 205

2nd Alastair Hoogenboezem (YZF-R1) – 154

3rd Dave Sharp – 117

Supersport 600 

1st Jake Lewis (YZF-R6) – 137

2nd Rogan Chandler – 135

3rd Cormac Buchanan (YZF-R6) – 116

Supersport 300 

1st Cormac Buchanan (YZF-R3) – 228

2nd Jesse Stroud (YZF-R3) – 180

3rd Dennis Charlett (YZF-R3) – 126

Supersport 150 

1st Hunter Charlett (YZF-R15) – 193

2nd Nixon Frost (YZF-R15) – 172

3rd Lucas Guthrie (YZF-R15) – 127