MotoGP does not have a South African Grand Prix on its calendar but South Africa now has a reconditioned Kyalami track and a champion named Brad Binder. KTM took these last two parameters into account to ship an RC16 to this distant country with a view to running it with the South African on its land. He deserves it, given his performance this season which keeps the Austrian brand afloat. But could there be another ambition yet to be revealed?
According to the media speedweek who reported the expedition, we should know more on August 18, which will be an opening Thursday for the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring. Either the stage at home KTM and its investor who needs no introduction. So there remain these laps of the Kyalami track, a circuit which extends between Pretoria and Johannesburg, born in 1961 and which has hosted Formula 1 and motorcycle competitions. Since 2015, major modernization work has been carried out to bring it up to date.
Brad Binder: “it was really cool to drive the RC16 at Kyalami ”
Brad Binder, who took advantage of the summer break to put the engagement ring on the finger of his sweetheart Courtney Renniers, did not shy away from his pleasure of treading with his KTM official the most prominent route of his country: “ I'm very happy to be back home. It has always been a childhood dream of mine to ride a MotoGP in my home country » he commented, specifying his objective: “ it is to establish a new mark on the Kyalami track. I think I can achieve this ».
Did he finally beat the 1'48.078 recorded on the shelves? The answer will not come until August 18. After eleven of the 20 races, Brad Binder is sixth in the World Championship, and he commented on this experience: “ It was really cool to drive the RC16 at Kyalami. The route is very special, unique and cannot be compared to others », concludes the older brother of Darryn binder who will have as a teammate in 2023 and until 2024 Jack Miller.
