In the absence of Suzuki's Hudson Kennaugh, Yamaha rider Shaun Whyte could maximise his championship lead in the Radiator SA Superbike series at Aldo Scribante this weekend.

In the absence of Suzuki's Hudson Kennaugh, Yamaha rider Shaun Whyte could maximise his championship lead in the Radiator SA Superbike series at Aldo Scribante this weekend.

Kennaugh, the defending champion, is committed to contest the British round of this year's Suzuki GSXR World Cup at Silverstone on Saturday. That could give Whyte the opportunity to build a substantial title lead at Aldo Scribante - with his First Technology Yamaha team mate Sheridan Morias poised to snatch the runner-up place from Kennaugh at the same event.

However, to achieve that feat, the two Yamaha pilots will need to win, which is something that could prove quite difficult at the tight and twisty Port Elizabeth circuit. The nature of the track could negate the top speed advantage that the R1s have displayed at the other circuits this season.


Veteran Trevor Crookes, riding for the Suzuki Dealer Team on one of the new GSXR 1000 models, should be the best-placed rider to challenge Whyte and Morias for the victory.

The new Suzukis are expected to be extremely effective on Scribante’s tight sections, and this should see some of the privateers like Graeme van Breda (Springs Suzuki), Clinton Seller (Sell-Mar Installations Suzuki) and Kreepy Krauly Bioguard Suzuki riders Lance Isaacs and Darryn Upton fighting for podium placings.

Kawasaki ZX10 riders Stewart MacLeod and Robert Cragg, racing for Flamingo Lounge and Cedar Vadec respectively, should also be in line for a possible win on Saturday.

Other privateers who could provide surprises will include Noel Haarhoff (Imtech Kawasaki), Bradley Stark (Staman Automatic Yamaha), Jason Wessels (Suzuki) and Donovan Fourie, on his Bike SA Suzuki.

Allan-Jon Venter (Game Service Yamaha YZF 600) currently leads the year's Radiator SA 600 cm3 Privateers' Challenge, narrowly ahead of Justin Fernandes (BW Tech Yamaha R6) and Greg Gildenhuys (Autohaus Yamaha R6). Their midfield battle should add much spectacle to proceedings, with Robbie Breakspear (Terry Moss Yamaha R6), Freightline Sandown Yamaha riders Tertius and Marius de Lange, plus James Moodie (Suzuki) in close attendance.

With competitors obliged to complete next Saturday's qualifying session plus both race heats on the same set of tyres, conserving their rubber will be an important part of the teams’ strategies.

Original article from Car