South Africa to support riders in World Superbike series

Motorsport South Africa wants to send their riders to race internationally and have decided that the FIM Superbike World Championship would be the perfect series.
The MSA is the motorsports controlling body and its CEO Francois Pretorious has an ambitious project: to field in 2012 a South African team in various classes of the Superbike World Championship.

The MSA will offer full support and backing for Team South Africa as well as the creation of an international trust fund to support the riders, but will need help from sponsors who could to see a good return on their investments as Africa makes up for 19% of the viewing audience.

According to the Township Times, the initiative will cost around R6m for team rights, while sponsors and individual rider sponsorships will start at R200000.
If Team South Africa finds the funds, they will initially support World Supersport rider Sheridan Morais (currently in Valencia testing with Kawasaki’s Supersport team), SA Superstock champion Ronan Quarmby and the 15 -year old Themba Khumalo in the 250cc European Junior Cup.