Race report and photos by Deon vdl Photography.
Red Star Raceway kicked off their RSR Social Racing Series last weekend. This year they are doing things differently as they join forces with Zwartkops Raceway. There will be five rounds with two at Zwartkops.
With so much happening over the weekend, the number of entries could have been better, but we will see what the next round holds.
SAMRA NSF100.
The youngsters of the South African Motorcycle Racing Academy were sent out first for their qualifying session.
Race 1.
It was #22 Blake Robert that made his way to pole position, he was joined by #1 Bohlale Mafokate and #57 Jayson Perufsky on the front row. Mafokate had a brilliant start as he took an early lead, he had Robert hot on his tail, but a few laps in Blake was missing from the race, a leaking fuel tank brought an end to his raceday. Mafokate rode his way to 1st place, Perufsky finished 2nd and #37 Bertus Taljaard took 3rd.
Race 2.
The second race started the same as the first with the reigning champ taking control from the very beginning. Taljaard was running in second place but Perufsky was starting to close the gap, a couple of laps later Perufsky took the inside line at turn two and passed Taljaard. Mafokate crossed the line for his second win, Perufsky claimed 2nd and Taljaard placed 3rd.
Overall Results.
1st #1 Bohlale Mafokate
2nd #57 Jayson Perufsky
3rd #37 Bertus Taljaard
RSR400.
Race 1.
#17 Jarrod Geypen took full advantage of his pole position, grabbed the wholeshot and entered turn one in the lead. #20 Tyler Richardson gave chase but Geypen kept his raceline tidy and stayed on the gas, allowing him to cruize his way to take the win. Richardson took 2nd and #69 Neil Heslip came in 3rd place.
Race 2.
It was another solid start by Geypen as he took an early lead, he just kept pushing until he took the flag in 1st place, Richardson followed in 2nd and Heslip took 3rd.
Overall Results.
1st #17 Jarrod Geypen
2nd #20 Tyler Richardson
3rd #69 Neil Heslip
RSR150 & RSR250.
(Combined Report)
Race 1.
After a great qualifying session #22 Blake Robert secured his number one spot on the grid, #110 Bohlale Mafokate and #21 Arno Erasmus filled the front row. Mafokate quickly found himself in front, by lap two Erasmus stole the lead and then Robert took up the front. Erasmus and Mafokate ended up in a battle for second place. Robert claimed the win, Erasmus and Mafokate came flying down the final straight neck in neck with Erasmus stealing 2nd place by 0.036 sec, Mafokate had to settle with 3rd.
Race 2.
Mafokate once again came off the line leading the pack. Robert soon seized the lead and left Mafokate to try and catch him. Not far behind a three way fight for the final spot on the podium took place, #40 Lorenzo de Ponte, #20 Tyler Richardson and Erasmus were going at it tooth and nail. Robert crossed the line for his second win, Mafokate followed in 2nd and Erasmus finished in 3rd place mere moments before De Ponte who took 4th.
Overall Results.
RSR150.
1st #22 Blake Robert
2nd #110 Bohlale Mafokate
3rd #21 Arno Erasmus
RSR250.
1st #12 Rikus van der Merwe
2nd #17 Sylas Karastamatis
RSR600 Beginners & RSR1000 Beginners.
(Combined Report)
Race 1.
#8 Jonathan van Niekerk took up the front spot and the wholeshot. Van Niekerk kept his head down and pushed all the way to take 1st, #33 Darren Mortimer collected 2nd and #87 Maksym Bernard took 3rd place.
Race 2.
Van Niekerk took a page out of his own book as he took the lead early on, his pace could not be matched and he finished in 1st place, Mortimer took 2nd and 3rd went to Bernard.
Overall Results.
RSR600 Beginners.
1st #8 Jonathan van Niekerk
RSR1000 Beginners.
1st #33 Darren Mortimer
2nd #87 Maksym Bernard
RSR600 Core, RSR1000 Core, Masters & Grand Masters.
(Combined Report)
Race 1.
The riders took their spots on the grid with #117 Dave Veringa standing tall on Pole. As the lights went out and the race got underway, Veringa who was out in front started to pull away from the pack. #45 Leon Horn, #350 Jannie Potgieter and #45 Tyron Piper had some close racing as they competed for second place. At the end Veringa took a very comfortable win, Horn crossed in 2nd place and he was followed by Potgieter in 3rd.
Race 2.
Veringa was on another level as he shot off the line and claimed the lead, showing no mercy for his BMW S1000RR as he pushed the bike to its limit. Horn, Potgieter and Piper were once again rubbing shoulders before Horn gave himself a little breathing room. Veringa claimed another 1st place, Horn took 2nd and Piper beat Potgieter over the line to take 3rd.
Overall Results.
RSR Masters.
1st #117 Dave Veringa
2nd #45 Tyron Piper
3rd #350 Jannie Potgieter
RSR Grand Masters.
1st #45 Leon Horn
2nd #24 Ian Harwood
RSR600 Core.
1st #106 Jhandre Fourie
2nd #82 Paul Perufsky
3rd #70 Dieter Huysamen
RSR1000 Core.
1st #97 Clinton Pearson
2nd #999 Nicholas Karastamatis
3rd #44 Daniel Hoile
RSR600 Premier & RSR1000 Premier.
(Combined Report)
Race 1.
The front row for the last class of the day stood as follows.
In pole position we had #57 Diego de Ponte next to him was #33 Christo Pienaar and #600 Tristan Potgieter.
Let me just start off by saying Diego de Ponte was only out to get some track time as he heads off to Spain to race in the ESBK – Campeonato de España de Superbike. So on the last lap De Ponte would enter the pits without completing the race.
The 1000 was quick to take up the front, but #98 Arno Erasmus on his 600 had some tricks up his sleeve. Erasmus snuck past and took the lead and the win, Pienaar followed in 2nd place and Potgieter finished 3rd.
Race 2.
After Erasmus’ win in the first race he had so much confidence going into the last race of the day that he was nearly a different rider completely. He found himself in the lead in the first sector, went on the defensive for a while then left the pack to fight amongst themselves. Erasmus did what he set out to do and took the double win, #93 Michael Viljoen had a much better race than the first after fighting arm pump in race one, Viljoen crossed the line in 2nd with Pienaar in a very close 3rd place.
Overall Results.
RSR600 Premier.
1st #98 Arno Erasmus
2nd #600 Triston Potgieter
3rd #22 Cayden Robert
RSR1000 Premier.
1st #93 Michael Viljoen
2nd #33 Christo Pienaar
There were some good battles on raceday, so for Round 2 we will make our way to Zwartkops Raceway on Sunday the 1st of June. see you all track side.
