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[2004/05/06]
ZUKANOVIC MORE THAN A
'SLIGHT' CHANCE FOR KIWI VICTORY
Sunday
15th November 2006
Source
- www.v8utes.com.au
Former
world superbike star Aaron Slight
will saddle up with
The 39 year old
Slight spent 10 years in the World Superbike Series, riding for both the
He moved from two to four wheel competition in 1998 driving for Honda in
Super Touring, before joining Vauxhall as a factory driver in the British
Touring Car Championship.
Returning to
Zukanovic and Slight tested this week at Calder Raceway near
“They are a different beast to drive than what I am used to, but loads
of fun,” the
The combo of Zukanovic and Slight will be a serious force in the V8
Ute’s first appearance offshore. Teams will field an Australian and a Kiwi
driver, each driver doing 2 heats each before combining for a long distance
final with a driver change.
V8 Supercar star Jason Richards will join
The V8 Ute International will be held over February 4/5 at Manfeild
circuit near Palmerston North. A full field of support’s including truck racing
will complement the 2 day meeting
Slight in NZ Targa Rally
Saturday
6th November 2005
Auckland,
Oct 27 Former superbike champion Aaron Slight is taking like a duck to water to
driving a car in the ongoing six-day Dunlop Targa New Zealand road race and is
poised to score a win in his first Targa outing.
A former World No 2 in Superbikes, Slight and co-driver Richard Scott,
of Tauranga, are leading the Honda Riders Club, Fun on Wheels Contemporary
category after two days and 15 stages.
They are also in 19th spot overall, trailing race leader Jim Richards by
just over 10 minutes impressive considering they are campaigning in a Honda
Integra Type R that has had little modification done to it.
Slight, who has been racing cars in
We are feeling really good about the race so far and having a good
time, Slight says. ``Its just great to be doing such a great
event, driving on roads Id never seen before,
``It really fun, but we are looking at our stage times.
The Honda Riders Club-sponsored 2 litre DOHC V-TEC Integra is almost
stock standard with only an upgraded engine management system along with
revised air intake and exhaust system installed.
Front and rear strut braces have been added along with Honda disc rotors
and heavy duty disc pads. It rides on Dunlop tyres.
There was a big smile on Slights face after Day 2 although he had found
some of the special stages on the bumpy Taranaki roads
disconcerting.
``We could probably do with some new shock absorbers and things there
were a lot of blind crests.
``The motor, gearbox and everythings in the front with no weight at the
back, so the car tends to do a big nosedive. But I dont think anything is going
to fall off it, said Slight, who is still doing a bit of work for Honda
importer, Blue Wing Honda in Auckland, and the Honda Riders Club, such as
coaching.
``But the Targa is such a good event, I would love to do it
again.
Honda Riders Club national coordinator Robin Stace said the Targa
Road Race was seen as an opportunity to display a range of high quality
products to people who obviously had an interest in motorsport, or petrolsport
if you like, hence its coming on board as a new sponsor for the
Targa.
``It is an opportunity to showcase what we do have and the
broad expanse of products that we are now involved in.
``The riders club has evaluated products that we have designed to give
Honda owners an added advantage if you like.
``At the moment we are concentrating on road and dirt bikes, but I know
that Blue Wing Honda is keen to expand that concept into other areas such
as jet skis and water based sport as well.
``So I guess the Targa (which takes us to many parts of the
Stace was ecstatic with the way the team was going in the Targa so
far. ``Im very happy with the team and it is great to Aaron Slight
on board. 
``He is doing very
well and creating a lot of interest.
``In the past hes been at the top of the sport and
it is an added bonus to have him around and being involved with the riders
club.
``Hes also helping us out with rider
development days that we are running in this coming summer.
Stace could not say at this time if the club would
be involved in more car orientated events but admitted: ``It
would be fantastic to be involved in more events such as
this.
Aaron Slight was still wearing as big grin at
the finish as he had at the start.
``Really, really happy to be here at the finish, Slight said. ``A lot of
motorsport stuff, you get bored halfway through them but this (the Targa) is
always exciting and fun.
``Everyday is new and fresh, driving on roads I had never been on before.
In his debut, Slight finished 15th overall, fourth in his class behind three
Porsches and was the fastest of the Honda Integra Type R contingent.
The Honda Riders Club team had learned a lot in their first attempt and Slight
said they would be back in 2006 when he expected they would go much harder.
For more pictures and information
on the event please check out these sites.
Aaron to Race Supermoto!
Thursday
14th September 2005
Ex-World Superbike star Aaron Slight is coming
to
Aaron is looking at being a part of the Kiwi team at the Ssangyong
International Olympic Park 19th Nov. 2005. Aaron has been off the bike for a
few years now but did ride a few local Supermoto events in
Supermoto pace in
The Ssangyong International is shaping up to be a huge event, Moto-x racers
galore with KTM fielding a full contingent of riders. Jay and Ryan Marmont,
Daniel McCoy, Rob-T and 2 of the 6 Internationals.
Other rumoured MX riders are Honda racings Craig Anderson, Yamaha’s Cheyne Boyd
just to name a few.
Road racers like Allerton, Johnson, Cudlin, Taplin and Kain will also be in the
quality field.
Entries will be available for all classes soon or go to www.supermotonsw.com
Honda Riders
Club - Fun On Wheels
Thursday 8th September
2005
New
Zealand Superbike star Aaron Slight, will be at the wheel of the Honda Riders
Club Integra R, in this years Dunlop Targa New
Usually
known for his supremacy on two wheels Aaron Slight has also been highly
successful on four, contesting the tough British Touring Championship and the
Carrera Cup, while based in
Co-Driving
for Aaron will be Tauranga’s Richard Scott, an experienced Targa competitor and
rally driver, who has previously raced in the 500cc World Motorcycle Championship.
The Honda Riders Club’s, star studded team, doesn’t stop there though, New
Zealand’s World Motorcycle Championship competitors Bob Toomey and Peter Daniel
will be servicing for Aaron and Richard.
The Honda
Riders Club, Fun on Wheels, Contemporary Category 7, is for vehicles built from
1999 until today. With a wealth of motorsport experience, the Integra R’s
powerful Honda 2 litre DOHC VTEC engine and legendary, Honda reliability on
their side, Aaron and the team are predicted to be hard to beat, for this
prestigious Targa Plate.
Regular Targa competitor Bob Boniface will be back behind
the wheel of his Honda Riders Club, black Turbo Sierra rocket ship, which has
undergone a massive re-development program this year. This may be its last
outing as Its replacement in future events is rumoured to be the stunning Honda
Riders Club blue Honda S2000 convertible sports car. See this car at the Honda
display tent at Rally stops.
New
to Targa this year, to celebrate the highly successful introduction into New
Zealand of Formula Honda, the worlds most popular one design offshore powerboat
racing class, is the Formula Honda Fun on Water Plate. This will be awarded to
the highest placed Honda overall in Dunlop Targa New
Call
in to the big red and white Honda tent during Dunlop Targa New
Slight shows his class
in supermoto
Thursday 25th March 2005
Aaron
Slight is racing motorbikes again – and looking at a new world championship
campaign.
But the Wellington-based rider is not looking to get back into
superbikes, where he came so close to winning the world title.
Instead he is enthused about supermoto, a relatively new form of
motorbike sport run on courses that combine sealed and dirt sections. Slight
has just finished second in the
It was his first serious motorcycle racing since he left world
superbikes a few years ago, though he has been doing some motocross just for
fun.
The supermoto at Taupo was a laidback sort of affair, with riders
chatting amicably between races. But when Slight gets on a bike he really wants
to win, and that's what he did at Taupo even though his Honda CRF450 was not as
fast as some of the bigger bikes there.
"I
always seem to be on the smaller bike," he said, referring to his days in
world superbikes when his Honda 750s were at a disadvantage to the 1000cc
Ducatis.
Supermoto bikes are dirt machinery, usually single-cylinder
four-strokes, up to about 660cc and modified with different wheels and tyres.
The Taupo track used some of the
Slight had never tried supermoto before the first round at Taupo, where
he finished seventh. But he learnt fast and on Sunday was very quick through
the corners on the sealed sections, leaning off the side like a road racer
instead of putting a foot down as riders with a dirt background were doing.
He has also retained his ability to brake late and hard before the
corners, a trademark of his superbike style.
At Taupo he won the round overall with a first, second and third, but
could not overhaul the points lead Te Kauwhata rider Paul Brown had established
on his 650cc Husaberg.
Now Slight is thinking about trying the world supermoto championship,
which starts in May.
"I'm in the early stages of looking at it," he said.
"There is an opportunity for me and we'll see if we can do
something."
He had not decided whether he would ride a Honda or another brand.
Thursday 24th February 2005
Through Riders For Health's proven fleet management
system and rider-training, motorcycles can help transform the health and
welfare of the entire African continent.
Riders For Health is the right charity for politically aware
motorcyclists and scooterists to support. In
If your club or group is thinking of raising money for charity they'd
love to hear from you or if you wish to donate simply check out there site www.riders.org
for all the info.
Wednesday 16th February 2005
The NZCMRR Festival will be held at Pukekohe
Park Raceway on April 29th & 30th, and May 1st,
2005 with Aaron Slight as a special guest. He will be riding in the 'Post
Classic' class, and maybe the '500 Factory' class.
What's In Store For
Aaron in 2005?
Sunday 13th February 2005
As of yet I haven't heard any news about Aaron
signing for any team however he will most likely be doing a few test rides for
someone. If anyone hears any news about Mr Slight please get in touch.
Monaro at
Saturday 09th May 2004
Race Report:
The Monaro's first Race in round 2 of the British GT Championship
The first race for Matt and Aaron in the new Monaro was not an easy one for
them.
Trouble started in early practice when they had problems with the new centre
lock wheels. This gave them little time to get the new spring and damper set up
right and post a good qualifying time.
Starting from 19th on the grid for race one Matt made a steady start, gaining
one place in the first few laps. Things were going ok until shortly before his
scheduled stop to hand over to Aaron, one of the DRM Ferrari's tried an over
optimistic passing move and in doing so, collected the corner of the Monaro
causing damage to the front splitter and wing. Matt managed to get the car back
to the pits, where temporary repairs were made before the car went out again
with Aaron driving. Aaron's lap times got better as he got more used the car's
handling. He finished the race in 18th.
Race Two
The boys got better in race two, having to start from a lowly 22nd on the grid,
they moved up a few places finishing in 16th position.
The team would have learnt a lot from their first weekend with the car and can
only get faster.
I think the team did well in their first outing and we wish them good luck in
the next round on June 5th & 6th at Snetterton.
By - Rob Apsey.
Source - www.hsvdriversclub.co.uk
Race result:
1. Sugden/Cocker Porsche GT3 RSR 1hr 00min 43.665secs 34
laps
2. Jordan/Sumpter Porsche GT3RS +58.546s
3. Kinch/Kirkaldy Ferrari 360 Modena +1m 09.865s
4. Tomlinson/Greensall TVR T400R +1m 17.792s
5. Niarchos/Mullen Ferrari 360 Modena +1m 30.877s
6. Cook/Cunningham Corvette C5R +1 lap
7. Kershaw/Whight Lotus Sport Elise +1 lap*
8. Pullan/Duchateau Noble M12GTO3R +1 lap*
9. Brost/Mace Porsche GT3 +1 lap*
10. Cole/Le Bas Corvette C5R +1 lap
11. Wilcox/Amorim Ferrari 360 +1 lap*
12. Rowland/Sharpe Porsche GT3 +1 lap*
13. Beighton/Finnemore Marcos Mantis +2 laps*
14. Chambers/Langford Porsche GT3 Cup +2 lapw*
15. Lanzante/Yandell Lotus Sport Elise +2 laps*
16. Slight/Griffin Holden Monaro +2 laps
17. Wood/Scott Porsche GT3 Cup +3 laps*
18. Horsfield/Corbyn Lotus Sport Elise +3 laps*
19. Lester/Robinson Ferrari 360 +4 laps
20. Ahlers/Scott Morgan Aero 8 +6 laps*
Rtd. Jones/Jones Porsche GT3 RS +26 laps
[* denotes Cup Class]
Race result:
1. Sugden/Cocker Porsche GT3 RSR 1hr 01min 32.525secs 32
laps
2. Jones/Jones Porsche GT3 RS +4.871s
3. Niarchos/Mullen Ferrari 360 Modena +12.701s
4. Kinch/Kirkaldy Ferrari 360 Modena +15.068s
5. Tomlinson/Greensall TVR T400R +34.205s
6. Cook/Cunningham Corvette C5R +58.728s
7. Rowland/Sharpe Porsche GT3 +1m 20.448s*
8. Pullan/Duchateau Noble M12GTO3R +1m 42.583s*
9. Wilcox/Amorim Ferrari 360 +1m 46.049s*
10. Ahlers/Scott Morgan Aero 8 +1m 53.593s*
11. Kershaw/Whight Lotus Sport Elise +1 lap*
12. Brost/Mace Porsche GT3 +1 lap*
13. Wood/Scott Porsche GT3 Cup +1 lap*
14. Chambers/Langford Porsche GT3 Cup +1 lap*
15. Lester/Robinson Ferrari 360 +1 lap
16. Cole/Le Bas Corvette C5R +2 laps
17. Horsfield/Corbyn Lotus Sport Elise +2 laps*
18. Slight/Griffin Holden Monaro +5 laps
Rtd. Hyde/Johnson TVR Tuscan R +17 laps
Rtd. Veiga/Moore Ferrari 360 +19 laps*
Rtd. Lanzante/Yandell Lotus Sport Elise 21 laps*
Rtd. Murphy/Lee ProSport 3000 +22 laps*
Rtd. Jordan/Sumpter Porsche GT3RS +23 laps
Rtd. Lesniewski/Hooker Corvette C5 +30 laps completed*
[* denotes Cup Class]
Manderson joins Monaro
Saturday 01th May 2004
Emotional
Engineering has this week confirmed that 2003 Sports 2000 Champion Matt
Manderson will be the teams third driver, join Aaron Slight and Matt Griffin in
the mighty Monaro.
Matt has been a successful club racer and karter since 1987. Over the years
Matt has raced through the ranks from Karting, Formula Vauxhall and Sports 2000
in 2003. 6 wins, 5 pole positions and 5 lap records earned Matt the 2003
Championship in Sports 2000.
Emotional Engineering MD Allen Orchard explains the appointment. "I am
very happy to have Matt on board at Emotional Engineering. Our race team needs
a third driver for various tasks while the full time drivers Aaron and Matt are
not available. We have a lot of work ahead of us in perfecting the Vauxhall
Monaro race car, and Matt's role will be vital to the team"
Matt is looking forward to the work ahead. "Allen has been a very generous
team owner, by giving me this opportunity," he said. "After years of
club racing, the role of being a driver for the Emotional Engineering GT team
is fantastic. I have a lot of work ahead of me, and hopefully the results of my
testing will help Aaron and Matt achieve success on the track with the mighty
Monaro!"
First pics: Slight with mighty Monaro
Saturday 01th May 2004
This is the first picture of the new livery for the Vauxhall Monaro that
former World Superbike hero Aaron Slight will pilot in the British GT
championship.
Slight, who competed in the British Touring Car Championship after leaving
competitive two-wheeled racing, will be partnered in the British GT
championship by reigning British GT Cup Champion, Matt Griffin.
The Monaro, which is built and sold in
The car has a pretty impressive race pedigree, having won the
Rookies meet racing hero
Saturday 08th May 2004
The
world’s most experienced Superbike rider paid a visit to the
Slight showed the same kind of steely determination off the track as he
did on it and when the exceptionally fit sportsman was struck down first with a
brain bleed – essentially a stroke – in 2000, it didn’t take him long before he
was back onboard a VTR1000, partnering his team-mate Colin Edwards to WSB
glory.
Last year Slight competed in the British Touring Car Championship and
has plans to challenge for further motorsport honours in 2004. So, when he came
to
Slight enjoyed his day with the team and took time out from his various
commentating and prize giving commitments to chat with Red Bull Rookies Honda
riders Jonathan Rea, Eugene Laverty and Steven Neate. The teenage trio quizzed
him about his career and took the opportunity to pick up some tips from a
master of the sport.
“I’ve
always been a big fan of Aaron’s and recognised him as soon as he walked into
hospitality,” commented Jonathan. “Also, Aaron used to wear Spyke leathers and
when I was their headquarters getting fitted for my Red Bull leathers I noticed
that there were pictures of him all over the walls.
“I’ve got early memories of his number 111 bike when he was riding for
Castrol Honda and I knew that he and Havier [Beltran – Red Bull Rookies Team
Coordinator] were big buddies from when they worked together.
“He’s had a really big career and it was great to meet him. We had a
good chat and went out and walked the track with Eugene and Steven. It was very
interesting – not just because he was always inch perfect as a rider, but
because he could explain how and why to us. Things like that all help make you
a better rider and we all found it really useful.”
Slights Back!
Saturday 27th March 2004
Former World Superbike ace Aaron Slight has been confirmed as a runner in
this year's British GT and Le Mans Endurance Series after signing a deal to
drive one of the antipodes' most potent cars.
Slight Advantage Management today revealed that New Zealander Slight will team
up with
With its racing pedigree already firmly established in the southern hemisphere,
the enlightened decision of General Motors-owned Vauxhall to race the Monaro in
selected rounds of the British GT and LMES championships looks set to add
impetus to its credentials. The GT version of the Monaro will be prepared and
raced by Surrey-based Emotional Engineering Ltd, which only recently took
delivery of its first car direct from
Aaron said "Rear wheel drive, big horsepower V8 and it's a Monaro! What a
great recipe.... After investing a couple of years in touring cars, this is the
best payback. Allen (EE) and Tubbs (SAM) have now invested a lot of time
putting the entire package together, and it is looking very very good...Let the
GT racing arse-kickin commence!"
Wanigasekera, a director of Slight Advantage Management, reckoned that his
charge and the Monaro would be a potent fit in both competitions this season.
"This is an exciting opportunity for Aaron to be racing a rear-wheel drive
supercar," he said, "The Monaro will suit Aaron's driving style, as
he has driven an Australian Holden V8 supercar before and absolutely enjoyed
the experience. After months of detailed negotiations, Aaron and I look forward
to working with EE-sport, Vauxhall/Holden and their exciting motorsport
campaign in
Emotional Engineering boss Allen Orchard believes that the Australian 'muscle
car' will be a hit, both on the track and with race fans around
"We are raring to go," he said eagerly, "We have assembled a
team of highly skilled professionals in the form of engineers, marketers and
high profile - and hugely experienced - drivers, all capable of winning races
and supporting Vauxhall in its marketing push.
"The Monaro is an awesome beast, as its performance in winning the
inaugural
Racing in