Greg Gildenhuys and BMW are finally able to add the 2010 South African Superbike Championship to their names following yesterday’s completion of protracted court of appeal procedures and an announcement to this effect today by Motorsport South Africa.
The complete findings of the National Court of Appeal hearing and the corrected final championship points positions will be posted on the MSA website as soon as they are available.
No South African Superbike champion was declared at the end of last season as a result of pending Courts of Appeal cases which revolved around the eligibility of the BMW and Honda motorcycles that contested the championship.
“It’s unfortunate that the battle for South Africa’s most prestigious two-wheeler title for 2010 had to be extended to off-the track with these legal proceedings,” said Rob Holder, general manager of BMW Motorcycles. “We’re obviously delighted at the final outcome announced by MSA today and we’re particularly happy for Greg, who deserved this reward for his fine achievements on the BMW last year.”
The young man himself, who has conducted himself with good grace and patience throughout the long drawn-out procedure, simply had this to say: “I’m stoked”.
The 22-year-old from Boskruin in Gauteng can justifiably feel that justice has been done. He and his Autohaus Towing BMW S1000RR were the dominant combination in 2010, from their first appearance together in round three in Port Elizabeth in May.
A second and a win in PE for the former national Supersport champion were followed by two second places at Kyalami in June and then six consecutive wins in the following three rounds at Zwartkops, Killarney and East London. Gildenhuys and his BMW superbike rounded off a championship-winning season with a win in the penultimate race of the year to take their tally to an impressive eight wins from 12 starts.
His reward was a full factory ride with BMW this season and a brand new S1000R superbike on which to defend his title. After the first four rounds, Gildenhuys leads the championship by 26 points from former champion Sheridan Morais with two wins, three seconds and a third to his name.
Gildenhuys and his BMW will next be in action at the scene of their debut triumph, the Aldo Scribante Raceway in Port Elizabeth, on August 6 where the reigning champion will be pleased to carry the #1 plate on his bike.
STORY COURTESY OF PETER BURROUGHES COMMUNICATIONS
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