Invercargill teenager Cormac Buchanan was the standout performer of the Yamaha Racing Development Team during the opening round of the 2021 New Zealand Superbike Championship in Christchurch on Saturday and Sunday (January 9-10).

The event produced some stunning highs and lows for the Yamaha Motor New Zealand teams at Mike Pero Motorsport Park, with five riders taking their Yamaha race machines right on the knife-edge line of their limits around the 3.4-kilometre circuit.

But Buchanan, 14, clearly stood out from the field.

Advertisement

Advertise on the Southland App

His mum Kate best summed up her teenage son’s achievements in a poignant social media post.

“‘I’ve discovered I am in complete awe of my own child. And it feels incredible,” she said.

Buchanan could not have achieved anything more on the day.

His tally included six wins from six races in the Supersport 150 and Supersport 300 classes; two pole positions; two lap records and two New Zealand Grand Prix titles.

Debuting in the NZSBK SuperSport 300 ranks, Buchanan - the youngest competitor in the field - was buzzing to claim his trifecta, including the coveted New Zealand Grand Prix title.

“It’s definitely a debut I’m going to remember for a very, very long time - it really couldn’t have gone any better,” he said.

“The races were physically and mentally demanding and really challenged me, which is exactly why I wanted to make the step up this year. To win all three was a dream result.”

Buchanan and his YRDT team-mate, Timaru’s Harry Parker were locked in battle throughout the weekend, exchanging race leads and lap records.

“Every race was an epic tussle with Harry - I think we are really pushing each other which is hugely beneficial to our racing. It also says a lot about the environment in our Yamaha Racing Development Team, which is fuelling our success.

“Round two at Levels is shaping up to be another cracker of a showdown. It’s the kind of intensity I need as I prepare to head to the Red Bull Rookies Cup in Europe at the end of the national season,” Buchanan said.

His defence of the SuperSport 150 championship also got off to a faultless start. He dominated all three races and secured his second New Zealand Grand Prix title and a lap record in the process.