Article and photos by Deon vdl Photography.
On Saturday 2nd of February we got to go and enjoy some good old motorcycle racing at Redstar. Not the biggest turnout on the race entries that we have ever seen, but still a strong field to make for some exciting racing. The Motorcycle Racing Series South Africa is an event catering for bikes from 1000cc superbikes to a Sub 500cc class, it is also for the experienced and novice riders alike.
Bikewise was there selling Pirelli tyres and with the help of Lekka Racing they provided tyre changing on the spot. Bikewise also had a stall where the racers could get their helmets cleaned and their Arai lids serviced.
The racing itself was well organised as usual, the MRSSA team had things running smoothly like the pro’s they are. The COC Werner Trollip had a tight lid on the proceedings and the day, even with a few red flags, kept running smoothly. The very hot conditions lasted most of the day until the rumble of thunder could be heard in the distance and started closing in exceptionally quickly during heat 2. While the Super 600 SBK class was out on track the darkened storm was right on top of us. With the fierce lightning the decision was made by the organisers to call it a day and unfortunately the Sub 500 class could not race their second heat due to dangerous conditions.
Open Superbikes Novice and Premier.
This class is open to all Novice and Track day riders who would like to come join in a fully controlled environment racing against the really fast Premier class riders. And as it turned out, some of the Novice riders were even a thorn in the side for some of the Premier class.
Premier Heat 1: It was all about #110 Jordan King, he did not put a foot wrong as he ran his way to a 4.676sec win. #72x Humzah Vally took 2nd place and the 3rd spot was taken by #12 Louis de Ponte.
Heat 2: Jordan King felt that his previous run was not good enough and he decided that he wanted an even bigger win so he took the flag and the win by 13.589sec. It was once again Humzah Vally in 2nd and Louis de Ponte in 3rd.
Novice Heat 1: The first time out racing a 600cc race bike #21 Arno Erasmus had an amazing start as he came out on top, he took a 3.246sec win. #13 Aadil Adams had a great run as he finished 2nd and #24 Mark Gaines placed 3rd.
Heat 2: Mark Gaines had a better race this time as he gave Erasmus a bit of a go. At the end, it was still Arno Erasmus who won the race with Mark Gaines in 2nd and Aadil Adams 3rd.
Overall Results:
Premier.
1st #110 Jordan King
2nd #72x Humzah Vally
3rd #12 Loius de Ponte
Novice.
1st #21 Arno Erasmus
2nd #24 Mark Gaines
3rd #13 Aadil Adams
Classics (combined classes).
One of the coolest classes to watch, just seeing all those old school bikes still running and racing after all these years. Just the thought of how many hours has been spent on keeping them in racing condition and all the time those bikes have been on race tracks.
Heat 1: There was no stopping the #29 bike piloted by Sakkie Pottas (F1) he was on fire in the first heat as he won the race by 8.605sec. Behind him we saw some very awesome racing as #337 Mike McSkimming (F2) and #91 Fergal McAdam (F2) had some close quarter battles going on. Mike McSkimming kept his nose in front for 2nd overall by 0.581sec, Fergal McAdam with a well-deserved 3rd.
Heat 2: Sakkie Pottas kept his head in the game as he claimed another 1st place. McSkimming and McAdam kept on fighting each other till the finish line and again it was Mike McSkimming with 2nd and close behind was Fergal McAdam with only 0.743sec behind in 3rd.
Overall Results:
1st #29 Sakkie Pottas
2nd #337 Mike McSkimming
3rd #91 Fergal McAdam
BOTTS and Masters.
The BOTTS is a class for all motorcycles that have either a V4, V Twin, Flat or Parallel twin motor, and the Masters class is for any super sport or super bike riders from the age of 45 years and older.
Masters Heat1: This class was dominated by #43 Jaco Gous who had no remorse for any of the other riders. He powered his way to almost a 13sec victory. With some great action between #27 Ryan Futter and #888 Derek Jacobs saw Futter take 2nd place by the slightest of margins, a mere 0.082sec, Jacobs took the close 3rd.
Heat 2: Jaco Gous kept stoking his fire as he lit up the track for his second win for the day. It was Derek Jacbos turn to take 2nd place with #41 Giuliano Smargiasso 3rd.
BOTTS Heat 1: Keeping his cool between the Masters riders #45 Leon Horn kept on the gas to take 1st place with just over 6sec, coming in 2nd was #46 Alan Hulscer who ran 14.770sec ahead of #72 Mick Landi in 3rd.
Heat2: The only change in the second heat’s results were the time difference, Leon Horn walked away with two wins under his belt, Alan Hulscher with two 2nd spots and two 3rd places for Mick Landi.
Overall Results:
Masters.
1st #43 Jaco Gous
2nd #888 Derek Jacobs
3rd #27 Ryan Futter
BOTTS.
1st #45 Leon Horn
2nd #46 Alan Hulscher
3rd #72 Mick Landi
Super 1000 SBK.
This class is for all the riders that race at national level, so very fast and skilled riders. A bit of a small turn out for this class but still all out action.
Heat 1: Yet again we saw a rider keeping a pace that was too much for the rest to keep up with. #32 Adolf Boshoff trashed his competition by 10.779sec to take the win. #28 Tiaan Fouche came through in 2nd and #13 Themba Khumalo with the 3rd spot.
Heat 2: Boshoff, once again too hot to handle, extended his win this time by 11.214sec making it 2 out of 2 wins on the day. This time it was Themba Khumalo who had a much better race as he crossed in 2nd and Tiaan Fouche placed 3rd.
Overall Results:
1st #32 Adolf Boshoff
2nd #18 Themba Khumalo
3rd #28 Tiaan Fouche
Super 600 SBK.
Also, National competing riders take to the track on 600cc motorcycles. This class had its fair share of drama with added thrills and spills.
Heat 1: It started off with a 3-man battle for first, then #13 Dinno Iozzo was a man with a plan as he started to push a little harder than the rest of the pack and made his way to 1st place. #171 Taigh Janse van Rensburg with a good start took 2nd place followed by #31 Ryan van Nieuwkerk in 3rd.
Heat 2: Janse van Rensburg was up front for the first few laps with Iozzo hot on his tail, van Nieuwkerk started losing pace early in the race while running in third spot and had to retire after dropping a cylinder on his bike. A few laps after that Iozzo came around with no trace of J.v Rensburg who went down and his race also came to an end. Dinno Iozzo was unchallenged for the rest of the race and won by a whopping 27.095sec. Now it was a battle for second place as #57 Diego de Ponte and #187 Matthew Schultz charged to the finish line with de Ponte taking 2nd and Schultz 3rd.
Overall Results:
1st #13 Dinno Iozzo
2nd #57 Diego de Ponte
3rd #187 Matthew Shultz
Sub 500.
Here you can come and race with any bike that has a 500cc engine and below. It was really awesome seeing mostly youngsters taking the fight to each other. Just unfortunate that they only got to race one heat as the severe lightning and rain caused a cancellation due to it being too dangerous to be out on the track.
Heat 1: #26 Oratilwe Phiri one of the S.A riders who got chosen for the Red Bull Rookies Cup trials last year, but sadly could not go due to VISA complications, was out to prove that he deserved the invite and to show he has what it takes to hopefully get a second chance at the Rookies Cup, he rode like a pro as he crossed the line with the chequered flag out in 1st place by over 13sec. #20 Tyler Richardson, Phiri’s competition in the SASCS got 2nd and #40 Nicole Fourie 3rd.
Overall Results:
1st #26 Oratilwe Phiri
2nd #20 Tyler Richardson
3rd #40 Nicole Fourie
So, even after the weather disrupted the last race of the day the fans and spectators were left satisfied and I know none of us can wait for the next race. The next MRSSA will be a double header at Aldo Scribante Race Circuit in Gqeberha (P.E) 24-26 May.
Take care and stay safe.
