Vinsen top in road titles

Press, 26 May 1977, Page 4

Vinsen top in road titles

The outstanding performer in the New Zealand motor-cycle road racing championships which ended last month was tire English-born Auckland rider, Mike Vinsen, undoubtedly one of the rising stars in'this highly competitive sport. Vinsen won the 350 and 250 titles, finished second in the 500 championship and third in the open championship. Had he not been a spectator at the New Zealand grand prix because of a wrist injury, he w’ould probably have won the 500 title as well. As it was, he finished just four points behind the defending champion, John Woodley, who also missed the final rounds at the New Zealand grand prix, but for a different reason. He chose to contest the major Australian classic at Bathurst and was rewarded with a fine win in the 500 cu cm grand prix on his RGSOO Suzuki. Woodley is now in Britain after winning a tight battle with John Boote, of Christchurch, in the recent Penang grand prix. Vinsen proved much too good for the opposition in the 350 class, finishing 12 points clear of Wellington’s Paul Goodyer in spite of being forced to watch the last round. Riding a TZ3SO Yamaha, this was his second successive win in the class. For his win in the 250 class, he had to wait until the official announcement of the A.C.U. points table. It was previously thought that Barry Wylie, of Christchurch, gained sufficient points from his fine win in the New Zealand lightweight grand prix to force a tie. However, the official points tally disagreed with that of the riders it concerned and the title goes to Vinsen by a single point. Probably the big surprise of the championships was the win bv Rodger Freeth (Auckland) in the open class. In his first season in the racing class, he proved the value of consistency to win by two points

from Woodley. Inspired by his success, he has now bought the well-prepared TX7SO Yamaha formerly raced by Paul Lachlan, of Christchurch. On this, Freeth hopes to make a big impression in the next Marlboro international series Dave Hiscock. of Wellington, won the up to 410 cu. cm production class from his brother, Neville. Official points released bv the New Zealand Auto Cycle tnion are:— Open. — R. Freeth (Auckland) 32. J. Woodley (Blenheim) 30, V. Vinsen (Auckland) 21, T. Diseombe (Cambridge) 18, C. Mortimer (England) 18, K. Fletcher (Auckland) 14. 500 class.—J. Woodley (Blenheim) 41, M. Vinsen (Auckland) 37, R. Freeth (Auckland; 34. P. Goodyer (Wellington) 29, Brent Wylie (Christchurch) 15, V. Coburn (Australia) 12. 350 class.—M. Vinsen (Auckland) 49. P. Goodyer (Wellington) 37, N. Farrow (Auckland, 21, Brent Wylie (Christchurch, 18, S. Avant (Christchurch) 16. V. Coburn (Australia) 14. 250 class.—M. Vinsen (Auckland) 38, Barry Wylie (Christchurch) 37, A. Brown (Christchurch) 28, N. Hawker (Rangiora) 25. V. Coburn (Australia) 18, N. Farrow (Auckland 17. 125 class.—P. Payne 34, W. Mantell 27, D. Morland 23, J. Grogan 21, W. Calder 12, M. Bayliss 10. Up to 410 production. — D. Hiscock (Wellington) 54, N. Hiscock (Wellington) 28, D. Beatson 24, B. Hawker 22. J. Bayliss 10, A. Hughson 9, D Longville 9. Over 410 production .— P. Fleming (Lower Hutt) 52. P. Stark (Wellington) 28, T. Turner 26, S. Kltney 23, J. Phillips 22, G. Williams 15. Sidecar class (up to 1300)— A. Francis and S. Macllquham 25 T. Cave and R. Stent 20, P. Sowersby and C. Perry 18, C. Moller and various passengers 18, P. Campbell ana D. Chivas 18, A. Ward and S. Forbes 12.