Cape Town – Last time out they thrilled the Killarney crowd with a master class in close racing; expect nothing less from top gun David ‘McFlash’ McFadden on the Race Prep Suzuki GSX-R1000 L5, and challenger Brandon Haupt (MX Clean ZX-10R) as they take their rivalry to the next level at Round 6 of the Mike Hopkins regional motorcycle series this Saturday at Killarney.
McFadden, a former Regional and SA title-holder who never misses an opportunity to race at his home circuit between his international World Superstock commitments, can be expected to set the pace.
Haupt, however, has fought back from a 2015 injury and a very difficult start to the 2016 season to lead the Regional championship at the halfway point. More than that, he has found that vital half-second, enabling him to take the fight to McFadden; expect another clash of the titans this weekend.
But neither can afford to make a mistake, because keeping them honest will be Trevor Westman on the Mad Mac’s ZX-10R, a fast but temperamental 2016 model, and veteran Malcolm Rapson on an earlier litre-class Kawasaki, family-funded and well sorted by Race Base, ready to pounce on the tiniest lapse in concentration by the leaders.
Then there’s the Brat Pack, officially known as the 600 Challenge, willing and able to give the litre-class riders a surprise anytime the opportunity presents itself. Defending title holder and class leader Hayden Jonas is a doubtful starter after a major engine blow-up last time out on his Fifty8 Racing ZX-6R, but Warren Guantario on the Mad Mac’s ZX-6R, John Oliver on the Glass It R6 and hot rookie Kewyn Snyman on the Epic ZX-6R.
But this weekend’s dark horse is Jacques Ackerman, who has suddenly found form on the second Mad Mac’s ZX-10R. Last time out he won Class B and finished fifth overall for the day with two sparkling rides. Definitely a man to watch.
Powersports/Classics
JP Friederich on the Calberg SV650 set the pace in the Powersport class at the beginning of the season, but is now under severe pressure from 15-year-old Brandon Staffen (Ice Technologies SV650), who has graduated from the short circuit with very high qualifications. The next round of this duel may very provide some surprises.
As could the Clubman class, with rookie Joske Kotze (Kawasaki ZX-6R) showing class stalwarts ‘Big Harry’ Clifton (MSD Auto Services ZX-10R), Wessel Kruger on his magnificent Honda SP2, more than 10 years old and still competitive on its day, and Shakir ‘Shrek’ Smith on Donkey, the Entity Sheet Metal CBR1000RR, the way home at the previous meeting.