Red Square Kawasaki ZX10R Masters

—LTR: (2015/02/21) Pieter De Vos, Graeme Van Breda #1, Kyle Robinson.
—Zwartkops Raceway.

Graeme Van Breda #41

—Kawasaki ZX10R, Red Square Kawasaki ZX10R Masters Cup.

Pieter De Vos, Red Square Kawasaki ZX10R Masters, Kawasaki ZX10R

Pieter De Vos #17

—Kawasaki ZX10R, Red Square Kawasaki ZX10R Masters Cup.

STARTING GRID LINE UP:

Graeme Van Breda, Pieter De Vos, Kyle Robinson, Tony Klem, Johan Le Roux, Jaco Gous, Peter Clark, Hennie du Plessis, Rodney McLachlan, Hano van der Merwe, Hannes De Vos, JB Schoeman, Ian Harwood, Raymond Keel, Abrie Marais, Michael Smit, Sid Farinha, Andre Denoon, Stewie Christie, Henk Schuiling, Banie Van Dyk, Stuart Russel.

Red Square Kawasaki ZX10R Masters: this is our stories

Friday: The sun sets slowly behind a light cover of clouds. A beautiful orange hue hangs in the late afternoon sky. The day has drawn to an end; the scent of firelighters and braai briquettes hang profoundly in die air. Johan Le Roux #44, Peter Clark #64, Stuart Russel #83 and I, sit in the Aces Café, discussing worldly troubles ... We only spare a few moments to discuss their Red Square practice day. Sometimes a man just wants to sit down and have something cold after an excruciating hot day, and talk randomly about whatever.

Fifty-two people arrived for the post-practice braai event, including the Audi Motorsport crowd, I was quite surprised: Terry Moss, Michael Stephen, Simon Moss, Gennaro Bonafede and Hennie Groenewald.
There is a photo of myself and Terry hanging against my living room wall. At the back it reads: "93/09/25, Terry Moss, Kyalami". We stand together in front of his Rothmans Audi Quattro S4 GTO; a racing machine that could easily spew out 400kW[1]. My hair was a bit longer and wilder in those days, better looking too (smile). The man became my hero in those days and I started attending most of his race meetings. I was the perfect Friday Slacker, even had season tickets for Kyalami.
Today we had a long discussion about his life, business, motorsport, Audi ... and the fact that he should start plotting down his thoughts on paper for a legacy autobiography. Afterwards I felt truly privileged.

It’s a cacophony of elated voices all around me, people sharing different moments, the Red Square Kawasaki Masters, Audi, friends, Technicians, are all in this cauldron of post-practice magic. Three star Michelin Braai Chef Hannes "Skinny" De Vos, was flipping prime steaks, wors and ribs to perfection, he was born for this. I must assert however (saying this with the greatest of respect): his braai-ing skills are much better than his Red Square (Kawasaki) racing skills. Come to thinks of it, we are all distinctive at something. Do remember—the Red Army still needs YOU!

I wipe my rib greased hand on my jean; it leaves brown sauce streaks behind. I say goodbye, and leave the Masters behind. The aroma of braaivleis lingers all over the Zwartkops pit complex ... If they stay out late, I know the stars will guide them home. Tomorrow they are expected to be bright and breezy, before THEY become the stars, of the Extreme—motorsport—Festival.
The further I walk away from them, the softer their ecstatic voices become, until there is nothing, just silence. I turn the ignition; the car stereo blasts away with Journey’s, Don’t Stop Believin’.

Eventually the twilight swallows me as I drive slowly into it. I follow the winding route down Zwartkops Raceway, and in minutes I reach the R55. Outside a carbon monoxide snake slithers mercilessly, I become part of its articulation. Five minutes down the road everything is just a mere memory, and everybody else around me is oblivious of what I have just experienced—a great foretaste of the Extreme Festival.

Saturday: These true racing moments, my words, have always existed; but time has only given birth to it now. What you read here have always existed, and the moments that go with it. Ever thought that you will end up here, DESTINITY perhaps?
Your Mother shows off her family album to close friends, you were still wee. They always thought you were a good boy, made something of your life, but never guessed that you will become a defiant motorcycle scoot jockey, an Iron Horse Hero, the thing they dreaded so much. She is worried though; also knowing that you will be fine. Every time the phone rings on a motorsport weekend, she hopes that it is you, giving her the great news!
I’m expecting my call tomorrow (Sunday), when my own Mother wants to know how my Red Square Kawasaki day was. She makes sure she reads my article; watches the races (and any other races) on DSTV, and then annoys me with all kinds of questions ... That’s Mothers for you.

The Extreme Festival was a—MASSIVE SUCCESS, people wherever you look. I’ve invited an old friend of mine. The last time we were truly involved in motor racing was back in the day, the old Zwartkops: beer, braai, friends, Glenn Gibbons (Alfa GTV6 3.0 Turbo), Stewart MacLeod, Brad Anassis, Terry Moss, Sarel van der Merwe, Ben Morgenrood, Johnny Eekhout, Franco di Matteo ... Those were the Damn Good (?) days. Sunburn, headaches, girls ... I never could have imagined that someday I would stand next to the racetrack, taking pictures of those who love it most, of those who defy the laws of gravity, and life.

A Tsunami of avid Red Army fans rapidly move to the pit-wall for the second Red Square motorcycle race meeting (I however did not see the first Tsunami, was busy in turn six). Now, I’m here, snapping away at the frontrunners on the starting grid: Graeme Van Breda, Pieter "the Terrier" De Vos, Kyle Robinson, Stuart Russell, Tony Klem, Johan Le Roux and Rodney McLachlan. They are all lined up for race two; the action is about to start. Will "the Terrier" bite off some of Van Breda’s tenacity; will Kyle revert to his old super self ...?

Graeme took both heats. Second overall for the day was Pieter De Vos, third Kyle Robinson.

It was a great day in all its glory. The most difficult part—of the day—was to get the Red Square Kawasaki Masters to position for a "Class of 2015" photograph. They just don’t want to be contained. But in the end their Mothers (for those who are still alive), will flip through the sentimental photo album (or swipe her smartphone) saying: "Look, that’s my Boy."

Our stories need to be heard; our stories inspire.
Thanks to Johan- (Silverton Bolt and Nut) and Lynette Fourie for shouldering the hard stuff. To Graeme Van Breda (Van Breda Motorcycles) and Johan Le Roux (Avidan Trading) for their "show" Kawasaki motorcycles (group photo). Thanks to the headline sponsor—Halewood Int./Red Square, for making this day possible.

Thanks to all the Red Army soldiers that made this day perfect.
My story, is your story, we are all connected. —Godspeed! •