Classic racing fans in Gauteng and Port Elizabeth will have the opportunity to have lumps in their throats as they watch legendary motorcycles roar round race circuits over the coming weeks.
A revamped South African TT Classic Series will see these two-wheeled golden oldies compete in a three-leg series in January and February.
Now in its seventh year, the annual vintage and classic racing bonanza promises to be even better for enthusiasts.
The first round will be held at Aldo Scribante in Port Elizabeth on January 26, followed by meetings at Pretoria’s Zwartkop circuit on February 1-3 and at Kyalami on February 9.
This year’s Classic TT Race Series will feature a number of racing machines from the UK and an expanded local list of entrants.
REAL RACING
“And this year there will be a real race, as well as the historic parades,” said former TT winner Mick Grant, who has assembled a respectable selection of famous racing TT winners, such as Gary Johnson, to ride.
On the machinery side, a number of exotic classic racing bikes are booked to take part in the series.
You will see Suzuki RG500 square fours, a Kawasaki 750 HIR triple, and a Honda NS500 GP machine, backed by some superb forgotten-era classics, among them the “Team Incomplete” Matchless G50, Norton Manx and Honda CR 163 250cc four-cylinder machines.
The packed programme for each day’s racing will be marked by the banshee wail of the two-stroke era, while the extra-loud classics on parade will deliver a great audible treat.
Steve Wheatman’s Suzuki Grand Prix bikes will be the foremost attraction in the ear-splitting department.
On the grid will be former greats such as Les van Breda, Peter Labuschagne and six-times World champion Jim Redman - among other quick local riders.
With a full Superbike race series, parades and the TT Series on the card, the SA International Classic Series looks set to produce spectacular racing while stepping back in time to the golden era of motorcycle racing of the past century. - Star Motoring