RideFast Magazine March 2020

meanwhile it was a flag start.
So, just like Shaun I found
myself back in 1990. I had to
battle through and did so on
the first couple of laps before
I started feeling the bike give
trouble. On lap 4 the quickshifter
and autoblip stopped working,
and all kinds of things started
flashing up on the gorgeous
V4’s dash. I knew it was nothing
motor related, so decided to
push on and finish the race. I did
so in 5th place, losing out on 4th
to Luca Bertolini on the last lap.
Race two and the decision
was made to use Ducati boss
man Jos’ V4S machine, with
number plate and all. I would
only get 1 warm-up lap before
having to go gung-ho on a
machine I had no time on.
My start was ok and credit to
the V4S as after only a few
corners I felt right at home and
comfortable. This allowed me
to push a bit harder every lap
and I soon found myself in good
company dicing it out for 5th
place once again after having to
start at the back of the grid for
changing bikes between races.
After the demise of a couple of
riders ahead I managed to hold
onto a hard fought 4th place
on the stock V4S machine, a
testament to just how good it is,
electronic suspension and all.
I’ve never been a huge admirer
of ES but must say this race did
convince me a bit.
So, in the end I had to settle
for 4th overall for the day in the
1000cc class just off the podium,
while Shaun went up proudly
to top spot to receive his shiny
new trophy. Yes, he won and I
finished 4th but the first rule of
racing is to beat your teammate,
and even more so if your
team-mate is your brother. I
managed to do this by setting a
faster time than him on the day
so once again I am the faster
brother, just saying.
Sadly, I will not be present for
round 2 as I will be at the Qatar
MotoGP race supporting our
boys Brad and Darryn Binder.
Shaun will be down in PE flying
the flag for our team so look
out on FB for how it goes or
just read next month’s issue
where we will bring the full race
report. We might even be on a
more “R”acier machine from PE
onwards. Let’s see….
We will also be showing off
some new sponsors who have
come on board for the rest of
the season. Big thanks to Rich
Racing, Cre8works, Ridgeway
Racebar, Wink Promotions,
Africa United Sports
Construction and Smashton
Industries for supporting us
going forward. We look forward
to representing your brands.
MO MAHOPE SHINES
AGAIN ON HER DUCATI
Lady rider Mo Mahope
continued her progression
on her Ducati SA/World
of Motorcycles Ducati V4
machine with some more
solid performances at
round 1 of the Monocle
Series and Bridgestone
Challenge races.
Her first race of the
season took place on
Saturday the 1st Feb at RSR
where she again showed
her class by finishing in
10th place in race one of
the BOTTS class and a
stunning 8th in race two.
The very next day
she and her Ducati V4
machine headed to
Zwartkops to take part in
the Bridgestone Challenge
races. She managed 9th
place in race one and found
extra pace in race two
finishing 6th. That gave her
4th overall for the day.
Mo has now traded in
her V4 Panigale for the new
V2 959cc V-Twin version,
which she will no doubt go
even better on and we look
forward to showcasing her
progression over the rest
of the season.
RIDEFAST MAGAZINE MARCH 2020 8 9