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'dream beyond the impossible'
| Ten Times Over Vereeniging, Gauteng, the Adrenalin Kart Circuit It's four in the afternoon and spans of avid motorsport fans gather to watch the showdown. Twenty motorcycles line up on the smouldering starting grid, elbow to elbow, accelerators wide open, all eyes on the lights. The lights go off, clutches are dropped, heads are down, and the best riders South Africa has to offer are tearing down the straight in the final Supermoto race of the year. A finale usually bursts at the seams with excitement, but for Mr Supermoto himself, this is as good as it gets. Brian Capper, a pioneer of the sport, and one of the most diversely talented two-wheel experts in the world, is retiring from a discipline that he has dominated for most of its existence. But a day like today would not be complete for Capper without his particular brand of magic added to the occasion. Today also happens to be the day that Capper is crowned a Ten time South African National Champion.
Brian made the unnatural progression from Trials riding to Supermoto look like a walk in the park. It takes a special type of rider to master both calculated Outdoor Trials, and the insane speed of Supermoto, but after winning his first National title in Trials and campaigning the American National Circuit to finish 7th, Brian fell out of love with his first passion, and began the search for speed. In 2005, he raced his first full Supermoto season and demolished the competition, winning two separate class championships in one year. 2006 was déjà vu for Brian, where he repeated his debut year with typical flair. In 2007, Capper returned to the US, this time to race for a factory team in the fastest growing form of motorsport the world has seen. After a gruelling year of banging bars with his heroes, he finished 7th. Returning home in 2008, armed with a wealth of experience and knowledge, not to mention a burning desire to return the number one plate to his bike, Capper once again ousted the competition to take back top spot in another two title fights. 2009 was no different, bringing his total championship tally to nine.
With the young guns out to prove their worth and a target on his back, Capper had his hands full this year, fighting for his last championship in the sport, and his tenth overall. The decision to retire was a tough but obvious one for Brian. Once again, after achieving all he could want in Supermoto, his passion for the sport had faded, being replaced by a new love. Capper is shifting his one-eyed focus to the National Enduro and Endurocross series'.
"I am so excited to try my hand at something new. I have always loved tackling obstacles, coming from a Trials background, but now I get to do it at speed, racing from lights to flag. I cannot wait for the fresh challenge" says Capper. In rounding off his Supermoto career, Brian decided to focus on the highly competitive All Tar class, where riders put their motocross hybrid machines to the test on an all tar circuit. As if showing off, Capper won every single race he entered, and the only scratches on his near-perfect record were two non-starts due to injury early in the season. "Bike setup is critical, not to mention track knowledge, and a race can be won or lost on line selection" says Capper. "Qualifying is also critical, especially on the more one-lined tracks, where passing is difficult." As the epic day draws to a close, and the final lap board comes out, Capper takes a fleeting glance over his shoulder, and without hesitation, pulls his front wheel into the air, celebrating in true Capper style. One emotional lap later, the race is over, as is a striking seven year run in the sport. Hundreds of people stand and applaud a South African legend, capturing the epic moment, bidding farewell to their Champion.
As Capper climbs off his bike for the final time, he lifts his brand new son into his arms and onto the podium. A father, a hero, a ten time champ, and heading into new riding territory, there is no challenge too daring or daunting for Brian Capper. Brian would like to thank his sponsors: Red Bull, Full Throttle, KTM, Soviet Eyewear, Mercedes-Benz East Rand, Michelin, Leatt, Alpinestars, CTI, Scott, Airoh, Motorex and Webmail.
Article by CaptureNation  The 2012 Mr Price National Supermoto Calendar:
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