Suzuki Hayabusa to be demonstrated at Simola

It will also bring the first and only new Suzuki Hayabusa to the famed hill and showcase it to competitors and online crowds alike.

“We are very excited about sending our team of motorcycle and racing specialists to support the Suzuki-powered racing drivers in Knysna for the Simola Hillclimb and to race the new Hayabusa up the hill. While the event is run under some limitations, we welcome its return and the opportunity for us to not only help make the events a reality, but to showcase the youthful and fun-loving side of Suzuki,” said Brendon Carpenter, the brand marketing manager of Suzuki Auto South Africa.

Suzuki will support three contenders at Simola. The first is Franco Scribante, the reigning King of the Hill and winner of the Classic Car Friday race. Scribante will compete on the Classic Car Friday in his crowd-pleasing Chevron B26 with its free-revving V8, which is made from two Suzuki Hayabusa engines.

On Saturday and Sunday the focus will move to the Radical SR1 Clubsport of Devin Robertson, also powered by a Suzuki Hayabusa engine, and the Speedcar Extrem racing buggy of Megan Verlaque. Verlaque has chosen the 600cc engine from a Suzuki GSX-R 600 to power her attempt up the hill.

All three contenders will race in striking MotoGP-inspired Suzuki livery.

Throughout the weekend, Suzuki will showcase the brand-new Suzuki Hayabusa. “The Hayabusa is perhaps one of the most iconic names in the upper echelon of Sports Bikes,” said Chris Kuun, the area manager for Suzuki’s motorcycle marketing.

“So popular is this 1 340cc bike that the first two consignments heading to South Africa have already been sold, without a single buyer even seeing them.”

For the Simola Hill Climb weekend, Suzuki has asked the South African superbike racer and Isle of Man TT rider, Allan Jon (AJ) Venter, to show the bike to the contenders and virtual crowds during Simola. Venter will race the Hayabusa up the Simola Hill during breaks to showcase the bike’s broad scope of talents, while also aiming to set a good time up the hill’s narrow and winding road.

“The Hayabusa is the most advanced motorcycle ever from Suzuki. It utilises the next generation of motorcycle technologies, such as the Suzuki Intelligent Ride System (S.I.R.S.), which adapts to driver intent and road conditions to offer the best riding experience possible.

“S.I.R.S. groups a range of highly advanced systems, including our Bi-Directional Quick Shift System, our Power Mode Selector and the Suzuki Drive Mode Selector Alpha system (SDMS-?), which controls and optimises virtually every aspect of the Hayabusa,” said Kuun.

For this year’s event, no spectators will be allowed, but organisers have arranged for the best possible live-streaming to bring the excitement of this short-form racing to everyone’s living rooms and mobile devices.

Source: MotorPress