The 32nd edition of the annual 8 Hour endurance race for 150cc motorcycles will be run on 13 and 14 December on Cape Town’s tight and twisty Killarney “K” kart circuit.
What started as an end-of-season two-hour fun event in 1982 has become eight hours of organised insanity that attracts national and international stars from around the world.
And this year the RST/Suzuki South 8 Hour has become a full two-day meeting, with a 90-minute endurance race on Friday afternoon, 13 December, for the development riders of the Honda NSF100 class.
These are budding stars from eight to 13 years old on identical Honda racing machines - none of whom has ever competed in an endurance race or even made a pit stop before. Expect drama and comedy in about equal measure.
TRADITIONAL LE MANS START
But it’s the main event – the 8 Hour - that brings to riders from around the world. It’s open to four-stroke motorcycles with standard engines up to 150cc and 'anything goes' modified two-strokes up to 80cc. Teams may consist of two, three or four members and no rider may ride for more than 35 minutes at a stretch.
It gets under way with a traditional Le Mans start at 10am and the leading teams will complete more than 520 laps of the tortuous one-kilometre circuit by the time the chequered flag comes out at 6pm.
Heading the entry list will be the all-black No.17 Honda CBR150 of RST bikewear CEO Jonny Towers, World Superstock rider and local hero David ‘McFlash’ McFadden, and top Regional riders Trevor Westman and Warren ‘Starfish’ Guantario.
The RST squad has dominated this race for the past few years, but will face renewed challenges this time around from former Grand Prix star Niall McKenzie and his sons Taylor (a British Supersport star) and Tarran, a frontrunner in the British GP125/Moto3 series, as well as former UK star Phil Ashley.
Top Gauteng team AJ Venter (now a leading British Superbike contender) Brent Harran and Bjorn Estment will be back to keep the Brits honest, as will top local trio Gerrit Visser (defending 600 Challenge champion), Powersport rider Andrew Liebenberg and short-circuit star Ryan Snyman.
GRUDGE MATCH
But for a serious grudge match, look no further than the Vanbros team of brothers Aran van Niekerk and Nicholas van der Walt, teamed with their father, Mark van der Walt, and the Mike Hopkins Motorcycles team of Ronald Slamet and Ayden van Rooijen.
Slamet and Van Niekerk have been locked in battle for the Mike Hopkins Regional Motorcycle championship throughout the season (Slamet is leading by 202 to 198 points after eight of nine rounds, with two races and 18 points still available). The outcome of the 8 Hour will not affect the Regional battle but personal pride will ensure an epic battle between these two teams.
Also expected to enter are World Supersport rider Sheridan Morais and World Superstock factory BMW pilot Greg Gildenhuys, each a multiple SA champion, as well a contingent from Mauritius.
Only 45 entries can be accepted for the 8 Hour, but there are a few slots open; if you think you’ve what it takes, contact organiser Jimmy Pantony on 071 874 9968.
Pantony has also invited all past and present Western Province and National Motorcycle champions to join him and the entrants for this year’s RST/Suzuki South 8 Hour at a cocktail party directly after the end of the NSF100 enduro on the afternoon of Friday 13 December. Please RSVP to the same number.