EmTek Racing News - 2005

26/11/2005 - Sheridan Wins SA Superbike Title

Updated News

20 year old Sheridan Morais has become the youngest ever South African National Superbike Champion having secured the championship on Saturday at the last round held at Kyalami.

Sheridan did not have a particularly good qualifying but he did have a game plan and he stuck to his plan. His arch rival being the series leader up to the last heat was Shaun Whyte had a somewhat ominous start to the proceedings by crashing during qualifying.  Shaun still however managed to put his bike second on the grid for both heats.

Heat 1 saw Hudson have a fantastic start with Shaun in close attendance. Sheridan did his usual trick by landing up in sixth place by turn 3 but then started making his way back up through the pack. Trevor Crookes however had other plans. Trevor had been itching the whole season for a win and his dream was about to become reality. On lap 10 Shaun made an unusual mistake and tried to outbrake Sheridan in the "off camber" turn 3. The front end of the bike tucked and Shaun crashed out - unable to recover the bike.

Sheridan has worked extremely hard this year for the championship and had set his sights on winning from the Zwartkops round. A lot of determination and race craft has been developed this year and this can be attributed to the two overseas excursions where the competition level is extremely high.

Sheridan would like to thank the following people for their dedication, hard work and assistance in helping achieve his first goal to world championship status:

• Ricky Morais - Father, mentor, friend and Technician from EmTek Racing for the exceptional race preparation and bike setup assistance at every round including the overseas excursions

• Michelle Morais - Mother, friend and family glue that helped all the years preceding this championship win

• Brother and sister - Dylan and Jamie

• Alain - Club House Kawasaki for the unwavering assistance at the drop of a hat to dyno tune the bike

• Gilbert and Andy Parsons - iAdapt and EmTek Racing for their continued support over the years and the assistance in getting the ride in the UK

• Andy Jamison - for his assistance in securing the ride at Team Nvidia in the British Superbike Championship

• Brent Gladwin and the Team - Team Nvidia in the UK for their support for the two races undertaken in difficult circumstances

• Brendan Hilt - for his track side assistance in helping Ricky with race preparation of the bikes

• Ian Hardie - for his continued support for many years for Regina chains, Renthal sprockets and DNA Filters

• Dirk Odendaal - for his support during the lean years

• Robbie Petersen - for his unfettered knowledge and guidance imparted during the last two years at First Technology

There are many more that Sheridan would like to thank for their overwhelming support not only this year but over the many years culminating in this result.

The new year holds much promise for Sheridan and there are a number of options that are currently being explored but each option is based on securing a ride overseas. Sheridan needs to build on his current momentum and move onto the World Stage.

Gilbert Parsons

 

 

This page was last updated on 06-06-2008.