Following eight of the year’s scheduled 20 races, the country’s top two- wheeler competitors will resume hostilities at AA Kyalami next Saturday (June 28). They will wage war during Rounds 9 and 10 the 2003 South African Superbike Championship, with little to choose between the leading eight riders, who represent three teams and two marques. –
– Topping the entry list and title chase at Kyalami will be defending national Champion Russell Wood on his Autopage Cellular Yamaha. Wood has 125 points to his name, courtesy of four victories and two second places from eight starts. His nearest title contender – on 100 points after one victory and four podium placings – will be First Technology Yamaha team leader Shaun Whyte. Third – just two points behind Whyte – will be youngster Hudson Kennaugh, who has taken three victories for the Cell C Suzuki equipe this year. –
– With a total of 40 points to fight for on the day, any of the above three riders could leave Kyalami as Championship leader. Various other competitors could interfere with their title contest, led by Cell C Suzuki riders Trevor Crookes, Stewart MacLeod and Noel Haarhoff. They could all score victories at Kyalami, as could First Technology Yamaha’s Arushen Moodley and Autopage Cellular Yamaha’s Greg Dreyer. –
– All three the leading teams will test their motorcycles at the respective Meyerton Midvaal- and Pretoria Zwartkops Raceways this coming week. Experts expect the top riders to arrive at approximately the same correct setup conclusions, and predict a second to cover the top ten on next Saturday’s eventual Kyalami starting grid. –
– Not far behind the leading bunch – and getting quicker by the race – should be works Inala Kawasaki riders Garth Norris and Greame van Breda, plus the First Technology Yamaha team’s Alex Lenearts. –
– Behind the factory teams, a massive four-way battle is being waged for this season’s Superbike Privateers’ title. Currently Sheridan Morais (Teasers’ Kawasaki) leads the fight on 103 points, with Clynton Pienaar (Mad Buzz Ducati) a mere two points adrift. Third and fourth – respectively on 95 and 90 points – are Robert Cragg (South Suzuki) and Gavin Ramsay (Kreepy Krauly Yamaha).
