Bringing you local motoring news as fast as we can.

Many leading personalities in the motorcycle industry, as well as scores of motorcycling champions gathered at Zwartkops Raceway, west of Pretoria, on Sunday 01 February 2009 to celebrate the Castrol-sponsored Day of the Champion, which was part of the circuit's annual Golden Age of Motor Racing weekend.

The managing director of Honda South Africa, Yoshiaki Nakamura, set the example by riding a replica four-cylinder 350cc Honda brought to South Africa by British enthusiast John Chapman. Nakamura, a former factory 125cc and 250cc racer, certainly appeared to enjoy the experience. Turning back the clock was the presence of Ron Haywood, former managing director of Honda distributors, Midmacor, in the 1970's.

Many of the riders on the historic machines were content to ride conservatively, while others revelled in the opportunity get back on the track and relive past memories with spirited displays.

There were plenty of exotic and rare machines for any two-wheel enthusiast to drool over, as well as the unmistakeable sounds of a variety of highly tuned two-and four-stroke engines being ridden in anger. The weather also played along, with no rain to disrupt proceedings.

One of the local enthusiasts who had reason to feel proud was magazine publisher Ian Groat, who fielded five immaculate replica motorcycles - a Honda 250 four and four examples of the glory days of the British motorcycle industry - 350 and 500cc Manx Nortons, a Matchless G50 and his latest addition, a Bob McIntyre AJS 7R.

All five machines performed faultlessly with Groat having lined up a star-studded rider line-up, including multiple world champion Jim Redman, Manx TT winner Jimmy Guthrie as well as SA champions Errol Cowan and Peter Labuschagne.

Groat operates under the 'Team Incomplete' banner as he says there is always something missing from his team, either in terms of a new replica motorcycle or a rider. On this occasion he had all his motorcycles, but on this occasion he was missing star rider Paddy Driver, who is recovering from a knee injury.

Many of the motorcycles will take part in the historic race meeting at the Killarney circuit, in Cape Town, this weekend.(06 & 07 February 2009)