Phiri boys are ready to burn rubber internationally

Oratilwe and Amohelang Phiri, Crawford International Ruimsig learners, are professional motorcycle racing brothers from Ruimsig.

Also read: Ninety entries for the 2023 iTOO DJ Motorcycle Rally

Oratilwe, 14, began racing at the age of five and was inspired by watching his father ride and teach young children how to ride motorcycles.
Amohelang, 9, developed an interest after watching his older brother race and, at the age of three and a half, asked his father, Thabiso Phiri, to race as well.

Also read: Century Racing presents its Dakar team

The Phiri boys had previously raced both on and off-road, but the family decided to focus on one discipline, road racing. They previously competed in the South African Short Circuit Series, where they honed their skills on go-kart tracks ranging from Polokwane to KZN. They have won a few championships as well as winning many races in their various classes. So far, Oratilwe has four victories and Amohelang has one.

Oratilwe has progressed to long-circuit racing on tracks such as Kyalami Racecourse and is already collecting podium trophies. Amohelang is currently racing for the SAMRA Academy, which holds races at Redstar Raceway in Delmas, and he also won the podium trophy. Oratilwe’s next MRSSA Series race is at Phakisa at the end of March on his Yamaha R3 in the SSP400 class. Amohelang’s next race will be in April at Redstar Raceway, where he will compete in the Honda NSF100.

Oratilwe has reached the legal age for international racing. He has applied to Red Bull Rookies in the hopes of representing South Africa abroad and eventually riding in MotoGP. With only their parents and the proceeds from their Organic Ginger Juice, PhiriPower, financing their dreams, their career has limitations. Sponsorship is critical to the Phiri boys’ dreams of flying the South African flag internationally.