Proposed 24 Hour Endurance race – 3/4 December at Red Star

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2-Stroke

Race Dog
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Britten (all models)
I'm fully aware that tar racing isn't exactly adventure riding (even if it can be somewhat adventurous), but perhaps some people may be interested in SA's first ever 24 Hour endurance race, especially after the WD Track Day this weekend. Everything is well from the organisation and sponsorship side of things, but all we need to do is convince Motorsport South Africa that it is a good idea. Below is an article that appeared in Bike SA, followed by a letter from Grant Shearer from Motorsport SA.

Bike SA Story:


It was to be a 24 hour at Zwartkops, with MS2000 club‚s 3rd December usual 3 hour race being changed to a 24 hour. The club‚s Sue Le Roux was happy, track owner Peter Du Toit was happy but there were noise problems with neighbours. This is understandable as the 3am cacophony of many exhausts is not conducive to nearby neighbours‚ sleep.

Sue and Peter both agreed to the change to Red Star, Jacques of Red Star was excited with the idea and now the organising part starts.
There are still authorities‚ permissions and blessings to consider plus the usual financial implications.
Bike SA, with Offroad & Adventure SA (this is going to be some adventure) will be the main sponsor. But, in the end of year holiday spirit, this should be a celebration for everybody and the co-riders of our bike is envisaged to be Clinton Pienaar of Superbike Magazine and Robbie Portman of Motorcycling SA (MCSA) with our Donovan Fourie and student/journalist Craig Watson. Simon will be too busy helping with organising.

Envisaged Rules:
Starts Saturday December 3 at 12 noon, ends Sunday 12 noon.
Minimum of 4 riders per bike. Riders will ride grouped to ride in the same time slot in speed groups. Only one National rider per team allowed and at least one slower Breakfast Run/Club rider must be included. The other two, or however many will be riding, will be Regional type or faster Breakfast Run or track school guys. The slow group is to encourage people to take up the sport and to encourage dad or your boss to let you and your mates use his bike (and tyres and petrol) and he can also have fun. The National group riding separately is so that dad also has fun and doesn‚t get lapped every three laps.
And, rider changes every half hour, to keep things interesting for riders and spectators, with above riders riding together, National with National, Regional with Regional etc.

It should be fun. There will be a tent with music and refreshments for spectators and the usual stalls and things and camping to add to the atmosphere. Spectators can come and go and need not stay for the entire period. They can, for example, watch the Le Mans type start and the early racing on Saturday, go home to watch sport on TV, have supper, come back to watch some night racing and socialise and listen to music and have a few beers before going home to sleep.
In the morning he can go on the breakfast run or to church and come back to watch the finish.
Thus far there has been much interest amongst the riders canvassed and it seems that a grid of 20 to 30 is possible.

Letter From Grant Shearer:

MSA is in the process of making a decision regarding the viability of the event. While the sponsors have committed to covering the costs for the event there is a question as to hoe many riders/teams will actually be able to afford to take part in the event.

It is estimated that the running costs will be in the region of R30,000 per team once you have taken tyres, fuel, spares, preparation etc. into account.

In order for the event to be a success we will need to have at least 20 teams on the grid at the start of the event (preferably 30). So now comes the big question, how many riders/teams will actually have the sponsors and/or resources to take part?

So the bottom line is that the event is pending subject to serious interest from riders.

Will those teams who actually to take part in the event please let me know by return email before 5pm on Friday 26th August.

Should there be enough interest shown by competitors MSA will then issue a permit for the event and regulations will be published. By 30th September a final decision will be taken as to whether the event goes ahead based on the number of entries that have been received (and entry fees paid).

Please share this with fellow competitors, get your teams together and then lets get the entries in and make the event happens. It`s all up to you!

Regards

Grant
[email protected]
 
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