February saw lovers of classic and historic motorcycles, and motorcycle racing gather at the Zwartkops and Killarney Raceways to witness great racing, enjoy the parades, and absorb the fantastic atmosphere.
The South African Classic TT Revival Series is an annual celebration of classic and historic motorcycle racing held over the first two weeks of February. The Series is held at the Zwartkops Raceway near Pretoria, followed by another event a week later at the Killarney Raceway in Cape Town.
The SA Classic TT revival Series features a four race, all comers series, with two races each at Zwartkops and Killarney, as well as several classic and historic racing bike parades. These parades are generally high speed affairs with superbly restored old racing machines, often ridden by the champions who raced them many years ago. The youngest bikes are 1989 models, with the oldest being from the early 50’s.
Every year a wonderful selection of old race bikes and famous riders make a pilgrimage to South Africa to take part in the series and have a holiday in the Sun. This year was no exception and several famous Suzuki Grand Prix stars and their bikes visited us.
Mick Grant, a 7 time Isle of Man TT winner was here on a priceless ex Barry Sheene factory Grand Prix Suzuki RG 500. He was accompanied by another famous Suzuki Grand Prix star, Tepi Lansivuori from Finland, who finished second in the 1976 500cc World Championship behind Barry Sheene. In addition to the Grand Prix bikes there was also a squad of Suzuki riders including Bill and Ian Simpson, Robbie Burns and Stephen Maxwell. They all compete regularly in Europe on almost identical factory Suzuki Formula One machinery, the famous XR69 1000cc four stroke racers.
This squad took on some of South Africa’s most famous riders in the TT racing series, all riding classic racing Suzukis.
By unanimous decision from the crowd at both Zwartkops and Killarney, the bike races were voted as the most exciting. In the end it was Scot Ian Simpson who won the overall trophy, followed by local riders Graeme and Les van Breda, and past SA Champion Danie Maritz, all on Suzukis. A very notable competitor was multiple past SA champion, and one of the most popular South African riders ever, Rodney Gray, making a return to the track nearly 25 years since he last raced in anger….of course his weapon of choice…a Suzuki GSXR 1100…
At the front of the field in all the parades, in which many past South African champions and national class riders featured on a huge array of classic race bikes, were Mick Grant and Tepi Lansivuori on their priceless factory GP Suzukis.
Once again the South African Classic TT Revival Series was a fantastic festival and a great testament to the fabulous racing heritage of Suzuki as more than 90% of the huge entry were riding Suzuki motorcycles.
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