Tempus fugit. Time flies. Of this there can be no doubt. It seems like yesterday that Shannon Terreblanche first swung into action in a German race on his 85cc at Aichwald. Yet it was a full five years ago, and the young 14 year old who then stared wide-eyed at the magnificence of ADAC racing, is now a near 20 year old GP racer, fully established and well known in international racing circles. Whereas in 2004, Shannon was in action in the smallest capacity class, now he was mounted on a big banger 450cc machine.
We do not know what else the good folk of Aichwald can do well, but one thing is sure, they can organize a fantastic race weekend. no surprise, then that around 12 000 spectators came out in the perfect summer weather to view some hot racing action. The track is not far from the home base of team manager Uwe Rommel, and the friendly German was there to watch his ward in action. Shannon responded by qualifying sixth for the race, his best qualifying result ever in an ADAC MX masters event. More significantly, he was only 3 seconds adrift of the qualifying time of pole sitter Max Nagl, as good evidence as one can produce that the South African is getting to grips with is 450cc Sturm Kawasaki.
Shannon hovered just around 10th position at the start of race 1. He was up to the pace, and mixing it with some established GP stars in the speed stakes. He made some initial progress, but later fell back somewhat, and eventually finished 12th. After the race he complained that the rear stoppers on the bike were fading, and sure enough, upon inspection, the rear binders had faded significantly, offering all the stopping power of a cobweb trying to contain a bear.
With the necessary repairs made, Shanter lined up for race 2. This time he got a blinding start, and found his place in fifth position. With the field stretching out, he looked set for his best ever German Masters result, but then he suddenly disappeared off the scoreboard. It later transpired that the rear binder on his bike had finally given up the ghost just as Shannon was ready to calm things down at the end of the fastest section of the track. With no co-operation from the rear brakes, he overshot the corner by a large margin, giving some spectators a much closer view of the racing action than they might have hoped for. UNder the circumstances, Shannon retired form the race, disappointed that a good potential result had gone up in a puff of smoke.
The racing action remains in Germany for a week. The next event on his busy race schedule is the German Grand Prix at Teutschenthal.
RESULTS:
Qualifying
Race 1
Race 2
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