There was the sound of squealing tyres and puffs of smoke, before Malvern East resident and local superbike racer Peter de la Rey won the title of South African National Superbike Drag Racing Champion.
This year’s racing season has involved a lot of travel for de la Rey to away tracks with the local track, Tarlton, not hosting any national championship events this year because of escalating costs.
De la Rey is currently competing in the Superbike Class on a BMW S1000RR, sponsored by Bavarian Motorcycles, and recently travelled to the Dezzi Raceway in Port Shepstone for the finals.
He was in high spirits from the onset following his success in the previous legs.
“This was my fourth national championship for Bavarian BMW on the S1000RR since joining them in 2011,” he explained.
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The BMW S1000RR was set up at home before heading to the track which meant that de la Rey did not touch it at the track.
“It was capable of a time of 9.5 seconds at 245kph but I only had to do 9.9 seconds at 243kph on the quarter mile (402m).
“Round Five and Round Six of the competition took place on a beautifully sunny Saturday.
“Though I did not have much time for practice, I managed to qualify third and had quite a bit of speed to spare so I was very confident,” he said.
The elimination series went off very well for de la Rey and saw him win Round Five of the championships comfortably.
“My win in Round Five meant that all I had to do was show up for Round Six to win the title,” joked de la Rey.
But this did not stop the racer from giving his all in the round.
“Once the racing started I was feeling good and managed to walk away the winner of Round Six
“At 62 years old I am the oldest South African national champion ever, in any motorcycle category,” he said proudly.
“Maybe next year I will try to be the first pensioner to be named champion.”
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