Festival of Motoring: SunBet ZX-10 Masters Cup Drives the Weekend on Two Wheels
The roar of engines, the scent of petrol, and the rush of adrenaline filled Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit as the Festival of Motoring 2025 revved into Johannesburg from 29–31 August. Now in its ninth year, Africa’s largest motoring celebration brought together automotive innovation, lifestyle experiences, and high-octane thrills for enthusiasts and families alike.
With over 100 exhibitors on display — from luxury marques and debut models to custom creations — visitors could test-drive the latest cars, tackle 4×4 off-road challenges, experience drift demonstrations, or even enjoy Formula-style hot laps. Beyond the track, live entertainment, gourmet food, and immersive brand activations made the festival a full weekend affair.
But amid the dazzling displays and revving engines, one spectacle stood out for sheer intensity: the SunBet ZX-10 Masters Cup.
The Heart of the Action: SunBet ZX-10 Masters Cup
As part of the weekend’s racing programme, the ZX-10 Masters Cup brought a surge of raw power and wheel-to-wheel drama to Kyalami. This unique one-make superbike championship pits riders against each other on near-identical Kawasaki ZX-10Rs, where skill, nerve, and strategy – not horsepower – determine the victor.
Round 6 of the 2025 series delivered blistering wheel-to-wheel battles, with seasoned champions and rising talents testing their limits on Kyalami’s iconic corners. The sound of bikes slicing down the main straight was electrifying, leaving spectators on the edge of their seats. Fans witnessed tight overtakes, daring lines, and the kind of split-second decisions that make superbike racing a thrilling watch.
With multiple classes — Masters, Grand Masters, and Veterans — the racing remained inclusive yet fiercely competitive, cementing the Cup’s reputation as one of South Africa’s premier two-wheel spectacles.
Clinton Seller is the current champion of the Masters Cup, followed by 29 other riders giving it their all on the track. We spoke to Keith Agliotti, who finished fifth and seventh over the weekend, and spokesperson for Brake Late, summed it up perfectly: “Racing gives you a feeling like nothing else. But the best part is coming home with yourself and your bike in one piece. Yes, crashes happen — but the key is to put it behind you and get back on the bike.”
Brake Late: The Local Heroes of Speed Amidst Other Sponsors
While SunBet headlines the Cup, the weekend wouldn’t have been possible without its supporting cast. EBC Brakes, a global high-performance brake manufacturer, and its local partner Brake Late were on hand, ensuring every rider could push their machines to the limit safely. They were our hosts over the weekend, letting Hello Lifestyle Magazine watch the action of Round 5 and 6 from their pit lane.
Brake Late, though lesser-known publicly, is integral to South Africa’s racing ecosystem. From supplying high-quality brake and clutch products for street and track, to offering feedback-sensitive pads that help riders feel every turn, their expertise kept the ZX-10Rs performing at peak levels.
Agliotti said: “EBC supplies brake pads that can withstand extreme heat and rough track conditions. They give the rider real feedback under braking, which is essential for both performance and safety.”
VAG Automotive Centre Centurion and Bridgestone Tyres also played critical roles, from paddock support to ensuring every bike gripped the tarmac with precision. Their combined efforts reflect the collaborative spirit that fuels the Masters Cup and elevates it as one of South Africa’s premier two-wheel spectacles.
The SunBet ZX-10 Masters Cup continues its thrilling season in September at Cape Town’s Killarney Raceway before returning to Gauteng for the season finale at Zwartkops and Red Star Raceways. With Kawasaki machines, elite riders, and top-tier support from EBC and Brake Late, fans can expect every round to deliver heart-pounding action.
From roaring engines to lifestyle experiences, the Festival of Motoring proved once again that South Africa’s automotive scene is alive, vibrant, and fast — on two wheels and four.
