Winton will host the second and final round of NZ SX tonight. Image: Supplied.

Words: Sharon Cox.

The New Zealand Supercross Championship will resume at Winton tonight, the second final round of the 2013 season with a short four-day turnaround.

In Senior Open Honda Shop Racing Cody Cooper commands a strong position with 60 points from Australia’s Matt Hayworth (Altherm JCR Yamaha) and Sam Duncanson (Honda), each with 43 points.

Cooper is more than happy with his results at round one, going 1-1-1 at the Timaru Backflips SX track.

“I was really pleased with how the team worked together at round one,” Cooper said. “And that my starts were the best I have ever done. I’m looking forward to the final round as it’s a new track and I’ve heard a lot of good things about it.”

A battle remains in Senior Lites, with NZ’s Bel Ray Moto-City Suzuki Rhys Carter, holding a one-point advantage over Australia’s Jay Wilson (Altherm JCR Yamaha).

“I’ve smoothed out a few things and will stay strong to bring home a positive result in Senior Lites NZ SX Championship,” Carter commented.

Equally, new Under 19s ASX champion Wilson YZ250F will be competitive, given results 4-1-1 in round one.

“I had a terrible start in moto one at Timaru and just got a bit excited making a move on Carter for the lead,” Wilson reflected. “A silly mistake and cost me the win. Now, I’ll keep it simple, do my own thing and minimise mistakes.”

Winton Supercross track main sponsor Brent Scammell is particularly enthused in hosting NZ SX championship finale, creating a mega track for competing this week.

“The track is looking superb,” Scammell said. “Mason Phillips was down last week prepping it and now Jim Cooper, track owner, is putting the finishing touches on it.”

The addition of internationals adds interest in the series, according to Scammell.

“It raises the bar for NZ’s riders and gives spectators exciting racing to watch,” he added. “If we need to bring riders over to race NZ SX Series we will.

“Spectators want to see exciting racing, they want to see riders winning on the brand of motorcycle they ride, so distributors need to see racing as a marketing tool for their product.”

Racing will commence at 2:45pm local time in NZ, with live timing available by clicking here.