Racers take on challenge to show their mettle
“With more prep and track time, we would probably have had more success than we did, but we are comfortable with the results from the two events,” says Gary Edwards.
Gary, a well-known and connected classic motor-cycle collector of White River, took a team to Zwartkops and Killarney to compete in the Day of the Champions series. His son, Tyrone rode a TR 50 and proved the fastest of the bunch. Anthony Shelley, a regular 600 rider, rode a GSXR and Gary a Katana.
Tyrone also competed in the strokers class on a Honda RS125 and surprised everyone with a fifth fastest (first ride out) at Zwartkops. He was tempted to improve on this but sound judgement prevailed. This was not a factory team with unlimited funds or access to parts and so forth, so putting it down during a race, would prove an expensive exercise.
Gary’s experience in drag racing gave him an edge in both heats of his race. In the first heat he moved from 15th on the grid to 10th position before the first corner, out braking many of the internationals (mission accomplished) but unfortunately could not keep it up throughout the race. “I was a little like a fish out of water in terms of both experience and technology,” says Gary.
Anthony on the GSXR was third fastest (on “old” tyres) in his race. Technical challenges on the Saturday prevented a good first heat. In the second with a new set of tyres, he consistently challenged the likes of Ian Simpsons by out braking him in the corners. He realized, however, that the bike’s brakes were not performing as it should and that it would land him in a serious spot of bother if he kept up the pace.
He cooled it somewhat but still finished in second. Simpsons later acknowledged his surprise at Anthony’s riding skills.
These performances encouraged the team, excluding Gary and Tyrone, to also compete down at Killarney. And, a sponsorship from Mitch McAllister of PPE Technologies made it possible.
At Killarney Anthony, with all the technical glitches sorted, was on pace from the word go – prequalifying at two 10ths of a second faster than everyone else. But the motor did not last the first heat.
“Not sure what the reason was as we have not had time to open it up for inspection,” says Gary.
“These bikes are 50 years old and yes, this is but part and parcel of racing.” The “win” of the Cape Town event though was the fact that Simpsons had offered Anthony an opportunity to ride in Europe. And, it encouraged the team to step their game. Gary is currently preparing for the 2015 DJ – so watch this space.
