The 16-year-old rider had five race wins, two pole positions and two lap records at the fourth round of the New Zealand Superbike Championship at his home Teretonga track.
Riding for his Altherm JCR Yamaha road team in glorious conditions, Buchanan notably won two races in the Supersport 600 category in just his fourth race weekend on the Yamaha YZF-R6, which he only rode for the first time nine weeks ago.
"It was very close to the perfect weekend," he said.
"I didn’t expect to be as fast as I was on the 600 but I’ll take it any day."
He also continued his unbeaten streak in the Supersport 300 category after three rounds, but it was the bigger capacity class where he really shone.
"I got the 600 bike buttoned down quickly and got my confidence up fast to be on the lap-record pace at the end of the first day."
Buchanan headed the field home in race one to claim his first Supersport 600 win and record a 59.260sec fastest lap, breaking Shane Richardson’s record in the process.
The second race played out in a similar fashion with another win and Buchanan whittling down the lap record again to 58.777sec.
"To be the first 600 to go under a 59sec lap around Teretonga is pretty cool.
"Going into the weekend, to get anywhere near a 59 seemed impossible. When I got to the low 59s early on, I knew I had more in the tank and could push for a 58."
Team-mate Jake Lewis finished second in both races, and won the third when Buchanan struck a gear issue.
"The last 600 race didn’t go to plan as the chain snapped off when I was leading, resulting in a DNF," Buchanan said.
"It was really frustrating as I was leading the race by 5sec and looking on course to go six for six."
He channelled that disappointment into his third Supersport 300 race, winning it by a huge 11.159sec and breaking the lap record.
Lewis leads the Supersport 600 championship on 137 points, and Buchanan is third on 116 points.
Buchanan leads all Supersport 300 riders on 228 points, followed by Jesse Stroud (180), of Hamilton, who rides for Wanaka team Helicraft Racing.
Whakatane star Mitch Rees (Honda) won two of the three Superbike races and holds a commanding 51-point lead as he seeks to defend his title.
There is now a seven-week break until the fifth round of the New Zealand Superbike Championship at Hampton Downs on March 4-5.
By: Staff reporter
