Elite Line-up for Castrol Day of Champions

23 January 2012

The Castrol Day of the Champions International Bike race Day, which forms part of the classic motor racing extravaganza at Zwartkops Raceway at the beginning of each year, continues to grow in popularity. As many as 250 motorcycles are expected at the Zwartkops Raceway on 29 January.

As usual, the massive gathering of classic motorcycle racing enthusiasts will include many champions and former champions, hence the name, Day of the Champions.

Many overseas riders, mainly from the United Kingdom, are taking the opportunity of spending time in sunny South Africa for the classic racing series.

 

Former SA champion Les van Breda on the 1974 Suzuki TR750 two-stroke triple he will ride at Zwartkops

Pic: QuickPic

Seven-time Isle of Man TT winner

Seven-time Isle of Man TT winner, Mick Grant is once more the main mover to get overseas riders to SA. He will be riding an ex-Barry Sheene factory Suzuki RG500, as well as racing one of Peter du Toit's GSM Dart sports cars in the 45-minute Execuline SA Tourist Trophy for 1966-1968 sports and GT cars.

Grant had the opportunity last year of racing a genuine ex-factory Lotus 23 sports car with Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits at the Goodwood Revival and says he is looking forward to racing on both four and two wheels at Zwartkops.

Steve Wheatman, owner of the largest collection of Suzuki GP bikes outside the factory, is sending two factory RG500s to South Africa. One is the 1984 ex-Sheene bike for Grant and the other will be ridden by Phil Read, the winner of eight world titles. He will ride the 1974 Suzuki he rode in that year’s world championship.

Former Isle of Man TT lap record holder Steve Plater is returning to Zwartkops and will ride a Suzuki RG 500.

Important machine

Another important machine that will show its paces at the Day of the Champions event is a four-cylinder Formula 750 MV Agusta, which was one of the machines used in the famous Italian factory's last foray in Grand Prix racing. It will be ridden by former multiple SA champion Keith Zeeman.

Many other ex-South African champions have entered for the event. One of them, Les van Breda, who was hospitalised at the time of the 2011 Castrol Day of the Champions, will be on the track again on 29 January.

He will be riding his fabulous 1974 Suzuki TR 750, which is still in excellent condition and the only known machine of this type still being ridden in anger by its original rider anywhere in the world. The wail of its exotic three-cylinder two-stroke engine leaves an indelible memory.

Well-known names

Some of the other well-known names from the past that will be seen at Zwartkops are Paddy Driver, Jim Redman, Dave and Robbie Petersen, Wayne Heasman, Howard Mellett, Tiny Marriner, Ian Scheckter, Rodney Gray, Ophie Howard and Kevin Hellyer. Honda SA managing director, Yoshiaki Nakamura, will again be in action, this time riding John Chapman's Honda RS250, while multiple SA production car racing champion Gary Formato will be out on a 1981 Suzuki superbike.

Making up the numbers will be many owners of exotic racing machinery from years gone by, with motorcycles that have been lovingly restored and maintained. They are competently ridden by enthusiasts from the Historic Motorcycle Group, Classic Racing Club of SA and private teams such as Ian Groat's Team Incomplete.

Groat's team consists mainly of famous British single-cylinder racers from the past, although he also provides a four-cylinder 250 Honda for multiple world titleholder Jim Redman.

The riders of his other machinery this year include Peter Labuschagne (Matchless G50 "Wagon Wheels"), Paddy Driver (Matchless G50), Jimmy Guthrie (500 Manx Norton) and Groat himself (350 Manx Norton and 350 McIntyre AJS 7R).

'Delighted'

"We at Castrol South Africa are delighted to once again be the headline sponsor of this awesome historic motorcycle event," commented the company's Public Relations and Sponsorship Manager, Nandi Canning.

"Castrol has been involved with motorcycle racing virtually since its inception more than 100 years ago and continues to sponsor teams in both MotoGP and World Superbikes.

Racing will start at 08:45 and continue until well into the afternoon.

 

Source: Brad Morgan / SouthAfrica.info