Williams and Easton in title tussle

The national Formula 3 title is likely to come down to a battle between Palmerston North riders Glen Williams and Jason Easton.

Yesterday at Levels in Timaru, Easton closed the gap on Williams winning the final two races after Williams had won the opening race.

Williams now has a narrow 11-point lead over Easton while the other big challenger Terry Fitzgerald (New Plymouth, Suzuki SV650) failed to finish the first race after blowing his engine and could only manage third behind Easton and his Tigcraft machine and Williams riding his own frame but with a Suzuki SV650 engine. Third-placed Fitzgerald is now 40 points behind Williams.

Williams said he always expected Easton to be tough opposition at Levels.

"The 125cc grand prix bikes are always quick at Levels where they seem to be suited," Williams said . "Jason's bike is very nimble like a 125 and he's very confident and always fast here."

"I tried hanging onto his coat tails and it worked in the first race when I got past him, but really he was just too quick in the other races so I was happy to settle for second."

It was a much better day for Feilding superbike rider Craig Shirriffs (Honda) who with two third placings is right in the hunt to finish third overall behind Suzuki riders Robbie Bugden (Australia) and Andrew Stroud (Hamilton) who continue to trade wins.

In the first race Shirriffs showed he can foot it with the Suzuki pair as he kept his Honda in the hunt with the first three crossing the line within a second of each other.

With James Smith (Suzuki, Christchurch) being pushed down to fourth by Shirriffs Honda team-mate Hayden Fitzgerald and Sloane Frost (Hamilton, Suzuki) failing to finish.

The riders have a month's break between each of the last two rounds of the national championship, which are at at Manfeild on February 27 and the new Hampton Downs track on March 27.

- © Fairfax NZ News