KIP - Racing

07/10/2026

Front guard restricting track wheel changes.
Take a look at the Melotti Front Fender mount.VISIT www.kipracing.com for pricing.
Stock arriving soon.

07/08/2026

KIP-Racing has long had a few misconceptions about mounting steering Dampers Transversely (across the direction of travel). We have always felt where possible the damper should be mounted Laterally and to this end have plotted geometries of the two options that clearly support the lateral mounting.
With the conversions to Race Bikes of the Yamaha R7's we addressed this issue and decided a transversely mounted damper wasn't much more than a decoration. Consequently we designed and manufactured our own Laterally Mounted Damper..
We would desperately love to market the product but a few thousand dollars later and only two units to show for our efforts and our geographical location, massive set up costs, and small volumes make it unrealistic to pursue.

During recent various attendances at overseas racing circuits we were introduced to Melloti Racing (Italy) and that has now allowed us to sell Melotti Racing componetry and will now offer in New Zealand and along side our own design there Laterally mounted steering damper mounts plus all there componetry. For our pricing Visit www.kipracing.com or www.melottiracing.com

08/05/2026

Wednesday practice in the afternoon session was cancelled from a loss of life crash at Station Cnr. The family gave permission for racing to continue but the riders name they want kept private.. Everyone here comes to race because they want to, air bags and air fences are prolific but the danger can't be taken away and everyone knows that so it's good that racing continues. Doesn't take away the feeling of sadness but.
On to Thursday and the evening racing was replaced with 4 practice sessions as racers from some classes had not practiced in the dry.
There is no qualifying as such, each session of practice counts towards your start position so it can become a lottery and almost requires racers to zero in on lap times from the get go.
If you look at Peter Hickman in Superstock he went well on Wednesday 3rd but had brake issues on Thursday then got caught out with a rain shower 27th but will probably start around 7 or 8th.
Mitch had a good day on Wednesday but not so sure he was so pleased with yesterday's practice, haven't spoken with him today, he finished 23rd in Superbikes - 20th in Superstock and 15th in Supersport. So he will likely start a little better than those positions. If you look at the circuit, 9 miles per lap of uneven surfaces and road markings a slight little off line error is 5 seconds lost. Mitch is smooth and that will count on race day so best wishes and bring it home Mitch Rees. if Mitch is 15th You can get an idea of how fast some of these guys are going, scary speeds and you think they will never stop that bike for the corner but they do..!! Huge use of the rear brake, nature of the Tarmac probably encourages it and many bikes use thumb rear brakes. Rest day today, Friday then Racing on Saturday, roads closed from 9am to 7pm so it's an early start for us as we are 15km out of town and getting the motorhome track side takes some doing, the streets are hardly wide enough for one vehicle let alone a 3.5 tonne campervan. I have to say our tickets in the stand are great, and a Restaurant/Bar next door is such fun🍺🤸 and makes it worthwhile.
Saturday the weather, according to Irish Locals is looking fantastic but for a couple of Kiwis 11 degrees is not hot, more like an Arctic hangover, I guess if you are out of the Breeze and in full Sun it's possibly warm, anything else it sure isn't balmy like they would have you believe.
Loving Ireland, meet a few and made a few good contacts etc. "If you can understand them"
Bye for now.

06/05/2026

After the first day of practice at the NORTHWEST 200 which is also qualifying but qualifying appears to progress all through practice which also happens tomorrow from 9am to 3pm then racing from 4pm to 9pm.
For today Mitch in Superbike is outside the top ten, but Superbike was first up and it's raining but guess what his times as the day progressed just kept getting better.
Just 2 hundreds outside riders like Josh Brooks, (bloody ausy, sorry Rob) Ian Hutchison and John McGuiness in Superstock and Supersport.
10th in Supersport and 9th in Superstock. Most of the day was in Rain, but often a few laps would happen on a drying track so a lottery.
Mitch was clearly smoother than all but a few and considering the conditions and his first time here it's time to get excited New Zealand. I think times will keep tumbling for Mitch and if not it's a stirring moment to watch you.
Keep you all posted tomorrow. Sorry the photos are tiny.

06/05/2026

Can't believe NZ sleeps, haha.
9:30 in the morning waiting for practice to start and situated at what they call Omici or York Corner. I'm actually feeling nervous, maybe nerves for Mitch, don't know or is it that the old fella is still a kid at heart.
So they come down the road on left in pictures then into the left hander (hairpin) about 8 or so degrees down hill. The surface (asphalt) is made up of much larger stones than what we have on our roads and an open structure with little or no finer stones so it appears that the grip levels would be low. What matrix there is has been well flattened off. Me thinks a nightmare to find a good set up for. Temperature would be around 8-10 degrees.
Some challenge.
We have managed to sneak a park for the motorhome right beside grandstand and restaurant which we get free wifi from. Kiwi ingenuity. Won't be so lucky to get same park on Thursday as the crowds will be gathering and once inside the roads you can't get out as they are shut down for responders access etc.
Cheers for now. Leigh.

05/05/2026

Seems to good to be true, wrapped to be here at Northwest 200 and also support Mitch Rees.
The course is radicle, rough in places but overall feels like it has some good flowing parts to it.
Give us a few likes and I will keep you posted on Mitche's times etc.

12/11/2025

Want to find a second or two a lap, KIP Racing has the best and cheapest method of finding faster lap times available .
LIGHT WEIGHT wheels not only give you better braking and acceleration but they greatly enhance the handling which all adds up to the easiest method of reducing lap times. Forget air intake ventures and air box mods or Cam Timing that are all subjective, Spend your money on light weight forged wheels by Dymag. Used by the world's leading riders like Micheal Dunlop, Dean Harrison and so many MOTOGP RIDERS AND TEAMS.
KIP-Racing are now officially appointed as Dymags New Zealand MOTO Distributors and will get you the best Dymag deal we can.
Act now and you could have light weight wheels for the SUZUKI SERIES. We have wheels in the Air for Aprilia RS660 and YAMAHA YZF-R7.
https://dymag.com/moto/
[email protected]
www.kipracing.com
0220435256

Explore DYMAG®’s range of forged aluminium and carbon motorcycle wheels. Engineered for superior handling, faster acceleration, and precision performance, our wheels deliver race-proven agility, safety, and style for track and road riders alike.

05/12/2024

https://www.change.org/p/do-you-a-rider-in-the-nzsbk-series-want-a-control-tyre-situation-for-the-2026-season/sfs/copy/1359229293

Are you, a rider in the NZSBK series, against control tyres for 2026 season and beyond?

11/09/2024

Exciting NEWS
It was a conversation between Ben Rosendaal and Leigh Paulin that took place during the final round of NZSBK championship at Hampton downs Raceway (New-Zealand Superbike championship) during March 2024 that lead to this article.

Ben who had just won the NZSBK title for the PRO-TWIN class expressed his interest in building and racing something New. The R7 Yamaha recently released was turning heads overseas and Ben was interested. The R7
Is well down on the oppositions HP figures however Yamaha’s frame technology and winning ways has turned heads in America, the UK and Europe so why not in little old New-Zealand. A major limitation is the amount of time and cost required for such a project.
What if we could find a business to support our quest, we are sort of local, Southbridge and Little Rakia Hutts and so “ yes you guessed it, we headed to Ashburton Yamaha”.
With tongue in cheek and heart in mouth. Those who know Ashburton Yamaha will know there commitment and friendliness but we didn’t, As for any sport, finding backing is not impossible but you need to be long in the tooth and most often you are given “The Old Elbow”
Chris listened to our speak and his friendly attitude quickly came through, that some KIWI bloke appeared to be on our side and said yes to our quest for sponsorship. So where to from here.
Well both Ben and I have much work still to do, building a competitive Race Bike is not easy but we are well on the way and up for the challenge. We are so fortunate to have Ashburton Yamaha’s support and enthusiasm, which I guess all of the district is aware of there service, expertise and friendliness.
Please follow Ashburton Yamaha on Facebook for all the latest Farm and Road equipment and while there pop across to the KIP Racing page (give us a follow) where we will keep you up to date with our progress and whereabouts.

Both Ben and I would love to meet and talk with you, join us trackside, answer questions, so look for latest updates as the new season unfolds.

A little history: Ben is a podium setter (2nd) at the Isle of Man TT (New Comers Race) 2019
Title holder NZSBK 1st place 3 times. PRO-TWIN class.
Countless other titles, to many to mention here.
The Ashburton Supported Yamaha R7 look out for us. See it at Ashburton Yamaha (Dates to be advised)

16/07/2024

Pirelli Supercorsa SC1 V3 160/60 2023 New tyres for sale.
Email [email protected] for pricing and delivery while I have them. Delivery anywhere in country.