8 hours of pure racing insanity.(Motoring)

BYLINE: Dave Abrahams

On the face of it, it's insanity: 50 high-revving little 150cc motorcycles pounding round a tight, tricky one-kilometre circuit for eight solid hours, ridden by some of the top riders in the country - not for prizes or championships (it's strictly a club event) but just because it's there.

But it's a magnificent and enduring madness, this RST Eight-Hour Endurance Race, now in its 27th year.

The 2008 edition will be run at Killarney's "K" circuit on Saturday, December 13, starting at 10am and running until 6pm. The top teams will circulate at a steady 51-52sec a lap, covering more than 550 laps of this demanding circuit during the eight hours, and every bike will be crashed at least once.

Nevertheless, at least half the entries are expected to finish.

The 2007 winning "dream team" is in disarray, with SA Superbike champion Sheridan Morais unavailable and sponsor Jonny Towers out with a broken shoulder. Former short-circuit champion Trevor Westman has been recruited to join international star Hudson Kennaugh and suspension guru Martin Paetzold. These three will still be a force to be reckoned with but will not be unbeatable - and that's where the excitement comes in.

Superbike riders from Lance Isaacs to ZX10 Masters Cup hotshot Greg Dreyer have entered, along with local stars Luca Agostinelli, Malcolm Rapson, and Powersport warriors Wesley Jones and Warren Guantario.

But bear in mind that all except Rapson are short-circuit graduates and know their way around this circuit, as do the Three Wide Men (Carl Liebenberg, Chris Bosson and Dominic Nessling) who have a combined age of well over 100 years and have won this race four times.

There are entries from all over South Africa - including at least two all-girl teams - and as far afield as Mauritius. More than 35 entries have already been accepted and the field is limited to 50 bikes - so if your entry is still outstanding, you'd better get a move on.

For those not lucky - or crazy - enough to get a ride, be there to enjoy this most unusual race, which will deliver drama and comedy in equal measure. It's eight hours of supremely entertaining insanity.

Call Jimmy Pantony on 083-641-5143 for more information.