Motorsport
SA Superbike excitement builds
2010-03-16 18:14
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Johannesburg - The FIM Superbike World Championship returns to the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Midrand on 13-16 May for the sixth round of the popular and closely-contested, 13-round series.
The circuit, which last year hosted the return of the Superbikes to South Africa after an absence of seven years, is gearing up for the big occasion.
World motorcycle controlling body FIM requirements will see some changes to the circuit involving the exit from the pits to avoid bikes joining turn one on the racing line.
The new season got off to a great start in Australia on 28 February when Leon Haslam (Suzuki) won the opening race of the season at the picturesque Phillip Island circuit south of Melbourne.
The Briton, who started from pole position, scored a tight win - his first in SBK - beating second-placed Michel Fabrizio (Ducati) by the smallest margin in SBK history - 0,004 sec. Japanese hero Noriyuki Haga (Ducati) was third ahead of Jonathan Rea (Honda), Max Biaggi (Aprilia), Sylvain Guintoli (Suzuki) and Carlos Checa (Ducati).
Checa became the first privateer to win a race since 2008 with a convincing performance in race two on Sunday afternoon. It was his third since he switched to Superbikes from MotoGP in 2008. The Spaniard passed race one winner Haslam with just two corners of the final lap to go and held off the Briton to take the chequered flag. Fabrizio was third ahead of Guintoli, Haga, Rea and Biaggi with less than a second separating the top four after 22 laps of the ocean-side circuit south of Melbourne.
Haslam leads the championship with 45 points from Fabrizio (36), Checa (34), Haga (27), Guintoli (23) and Rea (23).
The next round is at Portimão in Portugal on March 28.
South Africa's most famous motor racing circuit is a hive of activity as preparations are being made for the three-day race weekend, which will see the exciting Superpole qualifying on Saturday, May 15, and four races for world championship Supersport and Superbikes on Sunday, 16 May.
There will also be supporting races for local Supersport and Superbikes on Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets go on sale on Saturday March 20 at Computicket.
There will be a single gold grand stand (opposite the pits) with prices unchanged from 2009 (R100 for Friday, R250 for Saturday, R500 for Sunday and R650 for the weekend). Silver grand stand ticket prices are R80 for Friday, R200 for Saturday, R400 for Sunday and R550 for the weekend.
General access tickets cost R50 for Friday, R100 for Saturday, R170 for Sunday and R250 for the weekend. Children from 8 to 16 enjoy a 15% discount on general access tickets, while children under 8 will be admitted for free to the general access areas.
A park and ride system will be in operation to minimise road congestion and lengthy traffic queues, so race fans are encouraged to check event logistic details when booking their tickets.
Spectators will not be allowed to bring their own food, drinks, cooler boxes, braais or gazebos.
Many additional food and beverage outlets are planned to ensure fans have quick and easy access to a variety of quality refreshments.
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