64 http://www.popularmechanics.co.za _ AUGUST 2017
decades of SA National titles to his name; and 49-year-old Collin
Dugmore, Springbok and multiple SA National and German
Champion with many years of international experience on the
tracks in Europe. Completing the team is 39-year-old Andre
David, who was based in the UK for several years competing in
the British MX2 and MX1 Championship, the British two-stroke
series, and numerous events in Europe. All the race preparation
is done out of South African by Paul Symons, who has being
doing the race prep for the SA team for the past few years and is
the race mechanic at the event.
“This is the toughest international veterans event for most
riders, mainly due to the older machinery they have to ride,” says
Williams. “Any rider entering this event has to get used to riding
this machinery again. The bikes are different to modern machines,
heavier, with less forgiving suspension and less capable brakes.
“You’ve got to be super fit to ride these older heavyweights on
what is considered one of the most demanding circuits in the UK.”
Still, he has plenty of fond memories. “Last year when I was at
Farleigh Castle, I didn’t ride because I had a bad outbreak with
my health. My body was too sore.
“I went down to the gatepost and saw these Mr Price hats. So I
stood to one side, listening to these guys talking about the South
Africans and I promise you, it was one of the funniest things I’ve
ever experienced. I didn’t introduce myself, I just sat and listened
to the story being told. That’s the part I enjoy.”But each year it gets bigger and better. I think they have 30 000
spectators there now.”
The way the team competition works is that four riders are
allowed with only the top three scores counting. “Last year our
top rider dropped out in the second heat of four,” he says. “We
ride in a category called the International Class, which is the
premier class. During the course of the day, there’s probably
eight to 12 classes. I rode one year and lined up against 21
former world champions.”
Williams plans to ride again
this year, though he’s quick to
point out that he’s not in the
same class as the others. “Last
year I managed the team and
my bikes and this year, I
thought to myself, I’m going
to see if I can do both.”
When Farleigh Castle started
in 2009 it was a bit like ‘call
back the past’, but as time
went on it just got more and
more serious” he says. “The
Americans come out with big
names. I mean these guys are
serious hitters, they get paid
to ride. We are carrying our
costs.”
Effectively the bike he plans
to ride in the over-50 class will
be the team’s spare. “If I do
one heat, I’ll be happy. This is
not about me riding, me win-
ning. It’s a case of I have been
in a fortunate position. I have
gone there, I have raced on my
own, seeing all the teams, I
thought, I’d love to come here
and make a mark.”
For the past several years,
Williams has been involved with the annual event in another offi-
cial capacity. “My company, Global ASP has made the bibs that
are worn over your kit. I only make enough for the riders. The
guys don’t want to give them away any more and they have
become collectable.”
Although mostly contested by privateers, the event will pit
South Africans against stern factory support. “They don’t come
out and make a noise, but you’ve got Suzuki, you’ve got a lot of
support overseas,” says Williams. What does it take to win
against that? “You need to have four good riders who are capable
of riding and winning and they have to have the determination
to want to do it.”
It’s like the seniors golf circuit, says Williams (himself a pretty
handy golfer): the hunger never fades. “The guys don’t lose the
talent. They may be injury-riddled, but the guys are generally fit.
In the context of able-bodied men, we’ve probably got, if not the
fittest, then among the fittest probably, the teams that are con-
sistently racing 12 months a year. These guys all want to win.
They don’t lose that competitive spirit. But frustration sets in.”
The senior members of this year’s South African team are
55-year-old SA National Motocross Champion and Springbok
Tony Riddell; 46-year-old Ryan Hunt, Springbok and Protea
award winner and past previous Pro Veteran winner plus interna-
tional GP rider, and multiple SA national champion with four
Right: Freshly fettled, these Honda
and Kawasaki machines are ready
to be shipped off to with the SA
team. Above: Start of another
project... Williams is aiming to
produce a complete bike for a
visiting racer by November.