The new 1000cc South African Superbike brigade visited the Pretoria Zwartkops Raceway for the first time on Saturday (June 26) – with spectacular results. Rounds 9 and 10 of this year’s LeopardRock.com SA Superbike Championship produced awesome spectacle, the emergence of new challengers and the quickest two-wheeler lap in the Zwartkops circuit’s history. –
– Topping the show – and consolidating his already formidable championship lead– was Cell C Suzuki GSXR 1000 racer Hudson Kennaugh. At the end of the meeting, Kennaugh could write the quickest Qualifying lap and both race victories behind his name. In the process he also set a new Zwartkops Superbike lap record – at 63,39 seconds the quickest two-wheeler tour in the circuit’s history. –
– There were few doubts about Kennaugh’s ability to dominate proceedings on the Cell C Suzuki, and he started by setting the quickest lap time during Saturday morning’s Qualifying session. Others were less fortunate – multiple former champion Greg Dreyer crashed his Autopage Cellular Yamaha R1 heavily during Friday’s final practice session. Then – riding with broken ribs – he crashed again on Saturday morning – with a broken hand ending his weekend’s activities. –
– Kennaugh’s domination was not absolute – at the start of the opening race youngster Sheridan Morias and veteran Shaun Whyte grabbed the two leading places on their First Technology Honda Fireblades. They held station until Lap 4, when Jason Wessels crashed his Cable City Suzuki and the Safety Car was deployed. When hostilities resumed three laps later Kennaugh attacked, slotted his Suzuki into the lead, and stayed there to the finish. He was followed over the line by Morias and Whyte, Russell Wood (Autopage Cellular Yamaha R1), Arushen Moodley (First Technology Honda Fireblade), plus the Kawasaki ZXR models of Robert Cragg and Garth Norris. –
– Trevor Crookes (Cell C Suzuki GSXR 1000) survived a high speed off road excursion to take the eighth place. Kennaugh led the second race from flag to flag, chased all the way by Morias, Crookes, Norris, Cragg, Moodley and Whyte. Clinton Seller (Sell Mar Aluminium Suzuki) won the 600cc Supersport category both times, followed by Kreepy Krauly Bioguard Yamaha rider Darryn Upton. –
– The next round of the 2004 LeopardRock.com SA Superbike Championship will be held at AA Kyalami on Saturday, July 31.
