Invercargill teenager Cormac Buchanan, 14, will defend his 2020 Supersport 150 victory on a Yamaha YZF-R15 and will also take on the Supersport 300 field riding a Yamaha YZF-R3 in the 2021 race season.

Buchanan is in Yahama’s development racing team and is the youngest on the team.

He is excited about the challenge of riding dual classes, has plenty of incredible memories from his debut year racing in New Zealand and hopes to have added some more by the end of the 2021 series.

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“I know it will be more difficult physically but on the flip side there’s the advantage of having more track time and I’m definitely going to be giving it my all out there. 

“Yamaha have crafted great machines which actually feel quite similar, except for the speed and power of the R3. So the transition between the two bikes has been going smoothly,” he said.

Buchanan has plenty of ambition for the season ahead, which includes defending his 150 SuperSport title and featuring highly in the Supersport 300 ranks.

“I’m expecting the 300 class to be highly competitive which is a chance to hone my race craft and take it to the next level. If I can earn a place on that podium at some stage, I will be stoked,” Buchanan said.

Christchurch's Alastair Hoogenboezem and Rangiora's Jake Lewis will be both riding 1000cc Yamaha YZF-R1s

in the New Zealand Superbike Championship. PHOTO: ASP

Other members of the Yamaha Motor New Zealand road racing team are also aiming to repeat their 2020 successes.

Christchurch’s Alastair Hoogenboezem is defending his first Superbike title in the top tier class, while Wellington’s Rogan Chandler (YZF-R6) is looking to better his New Zealand Superbike Championship’s (NZSBK) runner-up placing in the Supersport 600 class. 

Hoogenboezem will be riding his 1000cc YZF-R1 race machine in the top tier class for the third year with the Yamaha Racing Team (YRT).

The team also includes Rangiora’s Jake Lewis (top tier class), Steve Lloyd (racing development team) and Timaru’s Harry Parker (Supersport 300 class).

After being forced to celebrate his debut Superbike win during lockdown, Hoogenboezem is looking forward to a full, uninterrupted season of racing and the challenge of backing up his victory.

“I realise there will be a target on my back with the number one plate on my Yamaha YZF-R1. In the past when I’ve won a championship [he holds national 125cc and 600cc class titles] I’ve moved up a class but I’m already at the top so there’s no further for me to go,” he said.

He warned his rivals that he is well-prepared and the YRT has plenty of notes on his Yamaha R1.

“We know what we are doing. What makes it tick. The times will only get faster and faster, depending on the conditions at the track,” Hoogenboezem said.

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Lewis is looking forward to building on his 2020 top three finishes in what promises to be an extremely competitive championship.

“My first superbike win is not too far away and that is something I want to achieve this year along with more podium finishes. A big thank you to Josh, Amy and Yamaha NZ for giving me the opportunity to continue with the Yamaha Racing Team into 2021,” he said.

For Chandler there is only one more podium step he needs to climb this season and that's to the very top.

“I feel like I’m capable of the win,” he said.

He is training hard over the pre-season and is determined to “make sure I am enjoying the racing and having fun and being a good ambassador at the same time,” he said.

Chandler won his class in the Suzuki Series last year and he will be doing his best to defend that title in December, before the NZSBK begins in early January.

Parker will also compete in the three-round series as he works towards improving on his fifth place in the 2020 NZSBK’s Supersport 300 class. 

“My goal this year is to finish in the top three every round and finish on the podium for the championship,” he said.

The team is managed by engine and suspension tuning guru Dave Cole and team manager Peter Fenton.

Development rider Harry Parker, of Timaru, will be back on board his Yamaha YZF-R3 in the Supersport 300 class. PHOTO: ASP

2020/21 YRT & YRDT RACE SCHEDULE:

5th & 6th December 2020 – Round One Suzuki Series, Taupo

12th & 13th December 2020 – Round Two Suzuki Series, Manfield

8th - 10th January 2021 – NZSBK Round One – Ruapuna Park, Christchurch 

15th - 17th January 2021 – NZSBK Round Two – Levels Raceway, Timaru 

5th - 7th March 2021 – NZSBK Round Three – Hampton Downs, Auckland (TBC)

12th - 14th March 2021 – NZSBK Round Four – Bruce McLaren Park, Taupo