SuperBike Magazine July 2020

MotoGP Holeshot
device
Holeshot Device. 2019 saw an old technology
make its way to #MotoGP. Holeshot
devices have been used in racing for
years but on dirt, not on tarmac! In Grand
Prix racing they've only become common
since the tail end of 2018. But what is a
holeshot device?
Holeshot devices help a rider to get a
better start by changing the bikes geometry!
In MotoGP there are two different
systems in use, those that change the rear
end of the bike and those than change the
front end of the bike.
Ducati was the first to use one of
these devices, with their device lowering
the rear end of the bike so that it squats
lower, allowing the rider to accelerate
harder off the line. It's activated by a
small wing nut on the triple clap, whereas
Aprilia, who brought there device next,
push a small lever under the handlbar.
However, their device changes the front
end. They hold the front suspension down,
much like in motocross, bring the bikes
centre of gravity down, again allowing the
rider to accelerate harder.
Holeshot devices are not the be-all
and end-all of getting the perfect start.
While they help to reduce wheelie off the
line and get a faster start, they only reduce
it and do not stop it entirely so rider
control with the clutch, throttle and body
position is still extremely important!
Something for the
Southern 100 fans
With the absence of Road Racing this year, Greenlight Television
with support of The Southern 100, will be broadcasting their
first Live King of the Roads chat show “Southern 100 Champions
and Moore” on Friday 10th July at 7.00pm. The event will be
broadcast live on The King Of The Roads and Southern 100 Facebook
pages as well as the King of the Roads YouTube channel
and their website: www.kingoftheroads.tv/southern-100
The event will be hosted by Dave Moore and will feature
guests such as Southern 100 stars Dean Harrison, Dominic Herbertson
and Jamie Coward as well as Sidecar champions Pete
Founds and Jevan Walmsley. Dave Moore and guests will revisit
races from over the years as well as answering questions from
the fans.
Southern 100’s Press & Media Liaison Officer, Phil Edge
commented “The decision to cancel the 2020 Isle of Man Steam
Packet Company Southern 100 Road Races left a massive void
not only in the organisers calendar, but also the many thousands
of fans who travel to the Isle of Man annually to watch
the friendly races each July.
We are extremely grateful to Greenlight Television for
offering us the opportunity to bring some of the Southern 100
atmosphere to the many friends and fans of the races to try
and fill the gap left with no racing on the Colas Billown Course
this year and we look forward to welcoming friends old and
new back in 2021.”
Greenlight Television’s Rob Hurdman has said “We always
love working on the Southern 100 and its absence has left a
huge hole in the calendar this year, so we’re extremely happy
to be able to bring this show to the dedicated fans of the event.
We also hope to bring Road Racing fans a live chat show from
other events that should have featured in King of the Roads
2020”
Clarens Bike Fest postponed in
accordance with Disaster Management Act
On Sunday, 15 March 2020, president Cyril Ramaphosa addressed
the nation regarding COVID- 19, announcing that a National State
of Disaster has been implemented. As a way to minimise the
spread of the disease, all gatherings of more than 100 people
have been cancelled.
In accordance with the Disaster Management Act and current
lockdown regulations, the organisers of Clarens Bike Fest
together with all the sponsors and our partners, after extensive
discussions with the relative government departments have
been forced to announce that the event, scheduled to take place
in Clarens from Friday, 24 to Sunday, 26 July, shall be postponed
until further notice.
Vicky Wentzel, owner of Wozani Africa Events and co-founder
of Africa Bike Week & South Coast Bike Fest, stated:
“It is unfortunate that this highly-anticipated event has to be
cancelled, but, in light of the global pandemic, it is undoubtedly
the right decision. The
priority for all our events is the health and safety of the attendees
and participants”.
We have also made the difficult decision to cancel the
Ballito Bike Fest ( 4-6 September) & Langebaan Bike Fest (
23-25 October) for 2020, and fully concentrate all our attention
and efforts on making our postponed Clarens Bike Festival
happen in 2020.
Currently refunds will not be made to any ticket holders of
Clarens Bike Fest, but all tickets will be valid for the postponed
show which we are hoping will take place later this year. The
event program having already having been finalised, with the
hope that the event would have taken place in July 2020 is ready
to be rolled out as soon as we can get the required government
permission to go forward with the event. For any enquires, contact
hello@bikefestsa.co.za.
We would like to thank all Sponsors, Guests, Vendors and
Partners for their understanding and support during this difficult
time, which unfortunately has hit the entertainment industry the
hardest almost crippling it. We promise to be back bigger, better
and stronger than ever before and looking forward to delivering a
world class event as soon as possible.
Please visit www.bikefestsa.co.za or ‘Bike Fest SA’ Facebook
and Instagram pages for all the latest updates.