History of EmTek Racing

The team principles of Team EmTek Racing have had a long and illustrious history with motorcycles.

This all started way back in the early seventies with their family being involved with the original Honda Motorcycle importers. Motorcycles became a part of family discussions and arguments for much of their growing years. The team principals grew up in the Germiston/Boksburg area where motorcycles were considered cool and the in thing – albeit 50’s.

Gilbert received his first motorcycle at the age of 15 when he became eligible for a bike license. His first bike was a … wait for it …… a Honda SS50 four stroke behemoth.

Gilbert progressed from this bike to a Honda CX500 and then a Suzuki GS 1000. All riding at this stage was road riding up until the year 2000. He then saw the light.

Andy also started his riding lessons at the age of 15 firstly on his brothers SS50 and then he got his own SS50 mean machine. With these two bikes the Parsons Brothers wreaked havoc in the neighborhood. Andy in the mean time had progressed from the SS onto a brand new Honda MX50. This was a two stroke legend in its time and was used regularly to “practice” robot to robot shoot outs. Wonderful stuff.

Andy was the first in the family to own a brand new “Big Bike” – South African terminology for a Superbike. It was a Honda CB750F which was midnight Black in colour.

However this poor bike had to endure being in a front end smash during its first running in period. Andy also endured road riding until the year 2000.

So what happened in the year 2000

Gilbert was on an overseas business trip to the UK and returned to find that his father and brother had inadvertently agreed to “help” out a young and struggling rider whilst watching from a distance at a motorcycle practice track. The young fellow was Jaco Du Plessis with whom EmTek still continues this relationship today.

As a result of this and wondering how we would fair we entered into a Superbike school for Phakisa Grand Prix circuit.

Both Gilbert and Andy completed their first ever track school and immediately became hooked. They knew that road riding had become more and more increasingly dangerous and this was the best stress relief a doctor could prescribe.

A strong family owned Suzuki GSXR600 was drafted in to do National Service for the two brothers and a further number of track schools were attended.

From then on the seed was borne

Based on the commercial success of their Software Development business this company was coerced into providing initial sponsorship for Jaco on an individual basis. This then moved into a full on race team for Jaco and Sheridan to contend the 2002 National Superbike events. iAdapt was also drafted in to sponsor the team principals as riders as they had progressed from wobblers to top 10 runners within two years.

Team EmTek Racing went on to include the two principals who are now competing in the Battle of the Twins Championships for 2003. EmTek Racing is now actively looking for additional sponsors in order to take their team to the next level of racing – the World stage with its two protégées.

History of iAdapt Sponsorship

In one of the biggest sponsorship deals since the inauguration of the Superbike Regional Championship, iAdapt confirmed that it has become the title sponsor of South Africa’s leading Superbike team – Team EmTek Racing - for 2002-04.

As SA’s leading independent ERP Software Development House, iAdapt has taken this major step to ensure that its image and corporate identity is conveyed through all media outlets and known on a national and international basis.

The new team livery was unveiled before media representatives, including television crews from the SABC and MNets’s Supersports program called Two Wheels, at the Midvaal circuit in Vereeniging - where the first round of the series will be held in February. It was an apt venue for the launch of the new look team that will again feature SA’s leading Superbike riders, Sheridan Morais (third in last year's Championship) and team-mate, Jaco du Plessis (13th).

iAdapt Directors Gilbert and Andy Parsons were introduced to a VIP gathering, at the launch, and enthused: "Everything has been said about the success of the team over the past three years, but for iAdapt this is a huge opportunity to increase the profile of our brand. This is particularly the case with the television coverage that we have enjoyed as a subsidiary sponsor of the team during 2001. While it is difficult to measure just how valuable this exposure has been, the Board of Directors at iAdapt believe that it is the best all-round value that we have received from our marketing expenditure.

"In addition, EmTek Racing will also enable us to involve our staff in the promotional work surrounding this project. Superbike racing is an adrenaline-induced sport that is enjoyable and exciting for television viewers and spectators alike. iAdapt could therefore do nothing more for its staff and customers than to touch, see and feel the experience of being involved in the Superbike Regional Championship. There's no doubt that the dedication and professionalism of the team is second-to-none and that EmTek Racing has the ability to take on the best and bring the championship back to EmTek."

As title sponsor, iAdapt will enjoy significant branding throughout every aspect of the team, including the factory Kawasaki race bikes, team transportation, pit display, riders' protective clothing and merchandise.

In order to maximise the benefits available to iAdapt as a result of this three-year agreement, the company will engage a supporting promotional campaign that will encompass hospitality and PR programmes.

iAdapt/EmTek Sponsored Riders

2001

Gilbert Parsons -  Regional 600 Silvercup - 22nd

Andrew Parsons - Regional 600 Silvercup - 29th

Jason Wessels - National superbike privateer Champion

Noel Haarhof - National suberbike privateer 2nd

Jason Wessels - 125cc GP - Phakisa

Sheridan Morais - Regional 600 Silvercup - 3rd

Jaco Du Plessis - Regional 600 Silvercup - 12th

Jaco Du Plessis - National Superbike

2002

Gilbert Parsons - Regional 600 Silvercup - 25th

Gilbert Parsons - Regional BOTTS - 24th

Andrew Parsons - Regional 600 Silvercup - 22nd

Andrew Parsons - Regional BOTTS - 27th

Noel Haarhof - National Superbike Privateer Champion

Noel Haarhof - SA round of International Supersport Round - Kyalami - 16th

Sheridan Morais - Regional 600 Silvercup - 3rd

Jaco Du Plessis - Regional 600 Silvercup - 13th

2003

Gilbert Parsons - Regional BOTTS - 15th

Andrew Parsons - Regional BOTTS - 8th

Jaco Du Plessis - Regional 600 Silvercup - 10th

2004

Sheridan Morais - National Superbike - 2nd

Gilbert Parsons - Regional BOTTS - 8th

Andrew Parsons - Regional BOTTS - 18th

2005

Sheridan Morais - National Superbike Champion (youngest ever)

Gilbert Parsons - Regional BOTTS - 6th

Andrew Parsons - Regional BOTTS - 10th

Camryn Saunders - 50cc Highschool - 14th

2006

Gilbert Parsons - Regional BOTTS - 13th

Andrew Parsons - Regional BOTTS - 16th

Camryn Saunders - 50cc Highschool - 10th