As part of a week long motoring theme held in Knysna, the garden route classic club this year had a larger than ever contingent of both classic road bikes and period classical grand prix machinery.

Organised by Lofty Pretorius and Bill Annetts, the three day dash up the testing Simola hill is heavily contested by some super swift racing cars from vintage models up to ultimate road sports cars. Between these are some mixed classic bikes. 

Ian Shrosbree, managing director of the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb says this year they saw record crowds line up the hill from great vantage points. “What we are trying to develop in the area of classic bikes is a sort of wall of sound. The appearance of “Team Incomplete” this year accomplished that with those unsilenced big singles adding to the day’s attractions.”

Because the hill is a public road with no run off areas, riders and drivers had to be vigilant on coming short. “Team Incomplete” boasts rider with a great pedigree. Keith Zeeman is a Springbok champion. Ian Scheckter made an appearance as well as  Horrace Bergstrom who is a multiple motocross champion as well as a local. Jimmi Guthrie, a Manx grand prix winner, was reunited with his 1965 Norton Manx on which he had so much success in his career, and all rode a strong ride on each day.

“The hill was all the more spectacular this year for the enjoyment of our 13 000 spectators that the event attacted,” said Shrosbree.

Bringing a wall of sound from a forgotten era, Team Incomplete were a sort of novelty act at the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb. With six runs over thre days, spectators were pleased to see the years rolled back by these grand prix singles.

Left, Ian Groat (34), publisher and owner of the race bikes is seen with  (JG), Jimmie Guthrie, Manx grand prix winner, (11) Keith Zeeman, Springbok superbike champion and (35) Horrace Bertstrom, former multiple motocross SA champion. They all enjoyed the sudden fame at Simola that the 13 000 spectators lavished on the team of riders.

“Team Incomplete” racers seen at Simola Hillclimb.

Left, Ian Groat, team owner, Keith Zeeman SA Champion, Jimmie Guthrie, Manx GP winner and Horrace Bergstrom, SA motocross champion. 

What started out as a hobby and passion for Tuning some of the fastest current BMW’s in South Africa Craig Langton was then faced with the erratic fuelling of the MV Agusta motor cycles due to the unique conditions in South Africa which all believed was due to altitude. It was then when Craig Langton started his quest to write software for motorcycles as ECU’s became more and more sophisticated in Motorcycles, to manage ABS, Traction Control, dreaded Emissions, engine braking, launch control, lean angle and traction control.

“The truth is no motorcycles have a MAP for South Africa, as the ECU does make provision for the changes in altitude, it’s only once your motorcycle has been set up for South Africa that you realise how well they really handle and perform,” said Craig Langton Founder and MD of Fire in Up in Sandton.

Craig also handles premium vehicles such as BMW, Porsche, Audi, Mercedes, McLaren and Ferrari.

“Years ago one had to perform jetting when a new model motor cycle arrived in the country, to get it to perform smoothly, then when fuel injection came out we had to fit piggy back systems to adjust fuelling as we had no way of communicating with the ECU,” said Langton.  “Today we have the technology which is used right across the world in WSBK, racing, it is now widely recognised that ECU tuning or flashing can adjust far more parameters than a costly piggy back system. Of course it also all boils down to the tuner as well.”

In Fire it Up’s case Craig has partnered with a world famous tuner in Germany who is responsible for many of the world’s SBK factory riders and teams in Europe and with the knowledge between them they were able to write the perfect map for nearly every motorcycle in SA, improving the ride ability and obviously the performance without cutting wires and shipping ECU’s units overseas (who do not understand the SA conditions anyway). “Customers must remember that manufacturers focus heavily on emissions and this restricts the performance efficiency by up to 20%. The stock ECU has far more control over the whole engine,” said Langton.

The Fire it Up flash tuning package is a few adjustments and enhancements made up of the following:

• Adjust/Remove Factory Timing Retard.
• Remove restricted throttle opening curves ( fly by wire)
• Vastly improved throttle response.
• Reduce excessive engine braking.
• Eliminate Exhaust Valves and Electronic Damper Error Codes without having to cut wires.
• Increase RPM limiter
• Ignition Timing Adjustment
• Injector Phasing Adjustment and Duty Cycle
• Increase the speed of Quick Shifters.
• Gear dependant traction control.
• Unlock hidden features.
• Enable Auto blip

This will change the motorcycle drastically giving the rider a ‘MAP’ specific to his/her needs and to South Africa.

“Customers cannot believe the difference in the all-round performance and handling of their motorcycle, once completed, all were saying the difference was uncanny,” said Langton. “All motorcycles are prepared in our new Motul Experience bay which will feature a camera so that customers can view their motorcycle being worked on; using their mobile phones, if they are unable to wait in our customer lounge.”  “We do all bikes, last week I tuned a Vespa with great results!”

FIRE IT UP, shop 2 showrooms and workshop, entrance on Leslie, corner William Nicol and Leslie drive, between the Cycle Lab and the Pro Shop.

For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Or call Craig 082 883 2872 or 011 4670737

For Motorcycle sales call Berto on 079 494 2404 or James on 076 827 9676 or 011 4670737

Selling your motorcycle? 

Call The Bike Buyers, James on 076 827 9676 or visit www.bikebuyers.co.za or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Fourways Motorcycles are calling all Adventure Seekers to gear up and get ready for a weekend away that will leave one wanting more!!!...

We will be exploring the beautiful curving roads, spectacular viewpoints and incredible waterfalls of the Eastern Transvaal. Old favourites, and also new exciting

venues - just to name a few items on the agenda.

So, what are you waiting for ???

Can you hear it??..... The open road is calling you.. :-)

Accommodation

We will take you on a nostalgia filled trip into the past, as we will be staying at the famous "ROYAL HOTEL" in Pilgrims Rest for 2x nights, .

Bed and Breakfast will be @ R470-00 per person per night.

Below is the Contact Information for the Royal Hotel:

Contact Numbers

Telephone: (013) 768-1100 / (013) 768-1044

Fax: (013) 768-1188

e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Physical Address

Main Street, Uptown

Pilgrims Rest, Mpumalanga

South Africa

Please send me your Booking Confirmation, so we can sort out the Logistics on this side. 

There is only space for about 10 bikes so if you would like to join us, please RSVP as soon as possible

Hoping for your presence in the said event.

Regards

Riaan Fourie

Dealer Principal

Fourways Motorcycles

Tel – 011 465 15 40

Cel – 082 469 45 92

Fax – 011 465 11 00

Fourways Motorcycles

Fourways Motorcycles Facebook