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Extreme Racing for the Red Square Kawasaki ZX10R Masters Cup at Phakisa on 26 April 2014.
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| With the first race done and dusted, the results show that the 2013 frontrunners are still the ones to beat; and mere split seconds separated the top riders. With a new minimum weight allocation (rider and bike combined set at 270kg) in line with rules in other classes such as Moto 2, has levelled the playing field more, thus breeding even closer racing. Though most of the riders carrying extra weight, are still trying to find their feet, other riders are relishing the opportunity to have a go at them, seeing as the power to weight ratio now makes the bigger guys more competitive. |
| The season opener at Zwartkops Raceway saw no less than a 29 strong grid of Kawasaki ZX10R race bikes. Riders seemed excited and anxious to get the show on the road, trying to get their eye in and re acquaint themselves with the track. |
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| Race one saw Graeme van Breda crash spectacularly at turn one when he made contact with another rider, losing the front end and was catapulted down the track with both he and his bike tumbling multiple times. Thankfully he was uninjured and would be ready for race two after some feverish repairs by his dad Les and pit crew. Gavin Lightfoot took an early lead but Stewart Mcleod kept putting in very consistent lap times and managed to pass Gavin on the last lap to secure victory for the Red Star Raceway sponsored team. As usual there was fierce racing right through the field, with Pieter de Vos, Brian Bontekoning and the ever improving Kyle Robinson fighting for third place overall. |
| Race two was dampened a little due to an oil spill by a previous car event, but there was still plenty of good racing, a changeup saw Bontekoning taking it to Kyle Robinson this time with Gavin Lightfoot pushing Stewart Mcleod all the way to the flag. As remarked by Dave Petersen on two Wheels this is the best motorcycle racing in the country at the moment and to be fair has been for the last couple of years with unmatched grids. |
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Results for race one was: Class A Stewart Macleod (46), Kyle Robinson (18), Jaco Gous (43) with his first Masters Cup podium, finally showing his talent in circuit racing after years of winning off-road championships. With Carel Brits (40) missing out on a trophy by a mere second. Class B saw last year’s champion Gavin Lightfoot (32) take the honours, Brian Bontekoning (16) 2nd, and Pieter de Vos (17) as always a strong contender in 3rd place. Overall trophies for the day went to Bonti (Brian Bontekoning) in 3rd place, Gavin Lightfoot in 2nd place and the Mac Attack aka Stewart Mcleod in 1st place.
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| New members (Arrie, Barney, Craig, Ian, Martin and Riaan) had their first taste of what it is like racing with the now very well-known Red Square Kawasaki ZX10 Masters Cup Club and they have shown some potential and might become a force to be reckoned with, especially Riaan ending 9th in Class A, showing some of the older statesmen how it is done. ….. and if there was any doubt about just how fast the riders really are, they certainly have no illusions about is any more. |
| The focus is now firmly on Phakisa Freeway for the second round on the 26th of April. Known as a very fast abrasive track purposly built for motorcycle racing and having hosted numerous Moto GP events, Phakisa is always top of the list for many racers. With the possibility of a SBK event later in the year, there is renewed excitement among the motorcycle racing fraternity. The cup’s top racers are sure to be keeping an eye open as the top ten riders are right up there when it comes to National racing and would surely want to show what they’ve got should the event materialise. Expect to see no quarter given on the track with the usual contenders fighting for the lead. |
| Remember that the pits are always open to the public for pictures and autographs on race day and Friday practise. Keep the rubber side down and we’ll see you there! |
| By: Lynette Fourie |
