The Red Bull KTM team joined over 100,000 people across the world to “run for those who can’t” on Sunday. TheWings for Life World Run is a unique event that unites participants in the cause of raising funds for spinal cord injury research.

In a sport that is riddled with spinal injuries, the initiative was close to the heart of the Red Bull KTM motocross squad.
Nine-time national champion, Kerim Fitz-Gerald, commented on the importance of supporting the cause:

“Spinal injuries happen a lot in motorsport, and that often weighs on our minds. For most guys that do extreme sports, and even for the general public - finding a solution for spinal injury is really important. It was good to be able to contribute to that possibility today.” 

He was joined by teammates Ross Branch and Joshua Mlimi.  

Branch, who ran the event with heavy legs after an intense weekend of racing, commented, “As tired as my legs were, I just kept thinking of the people who couldn’t run with us. The camaraderie today was more than I have ever seen it, and I felt so proud to be a part of this cause,” said Branch.

The story of Joey Evans was mentioned as the team chatted about their experience. The KTM rider overcame paralysis to finish the prestigious Dakar Rally in 2017.

The local hero firmly believes that it is just a matter of time before the secret of a cure for spinal injury is unlocked. As a strong supporter of the Wings for Life initiative, he highly commends the event for giving people the hope of a better future.

Moved by his orange family’s willingness to take part in such an event, Evans shares his heart on the matter:

“Spinal cord injury happens in an instant and permanently changes your life forever. The thought of having zero hope of recovery is a reality many are faced with, and often that thought is too heavy to bear.

Since my injury in 2007 I have grown to love the Wings for Life foundation and what they’re all about. They’re not about supplying wheelchairs and financial support to victims - they are all about finding a cure! 

Seeing the racers and staff from KTM SA supporting this incredible goal by competing in the 2018 Wings for Life World Run is just another reminder that I’m on the right team. Thank you KTM SA for being winners on and off the track,” he said.

Bill recently had a visit to the Superbike magazine headquarters where Marc Giltrow, owner of SBK eyewear South Africa, was also in attendance.

Marc kindly equipped all in the picture with a superb set of 2018 SBK sunglasses, which made everyone happy to the point of them wanting to buy Marc many beers (well maybe not Bill – tight old git and all that), and justifiably so.

So if you’d also like to own similar SBK eyewear products, which you certainly should, go to www.sbkeyewear.co.za or call Marc on (082 853 4476).

The more I ride this little beauty the more attached I become and not just me. Natalie cleared off on it for a few days and came back a gibbering jester full of compliments. She adored the lightness, nimbleness and naughtiness the 390 has by the bag load.

I agree with everything she says, for a change. However some KTM dealers say this is the perfect ‘entry-level’ bike into the Duke family but I’m not so sure. Think of it more as a bike you’d keep. You see, around town up here in good ol’ Jo’burg I believe you’ll never need anything bigger. It’s plenty quick enough and with only 700km on the clock I’ve already had it past 180km/h! I certainly agree with Natalie, for a change, on the way it can be thrown around, helped by those brilliant Metzeler tyres. And whilst you’re flying around at silly speeds the one thing that really does stand out (relayed on those ‘best in class’ clocks), is the frugal fuel consumption. I know of no other bike at the moment that gives so much fun for so little petrol.

Anyway, talking of riding around like a ‘teenager’ whose dad paid for the bike, if you know what I mean, let me tell you these tales to put this 45hp, 150kg motorbike into perspective.

I was out on a Sunday morning ‘annoying’ any motorbike that came near when a Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster came alongside at the lights and scoffed at my 390 badges. Obviously his bike was much louder (my Akrapovic pipe is here as I write and will be fitted by the next report), but his volume was crushed as he tried to drag race my 390 and me and I disappeared into the distance full of glee and merriment. All quite impressive, but

not as impressive as the next robot race with a fairly new Yamaha XT660 though. First gear we’re side-by-side then into second and every subsequent gear change after that the 390 pulled away and even more so at the top end. I’ve never had such a grin since I won the lottery, only to hear my R10,000 win was actually R10. Gloating aside (after a while that is) that’s very impressive for a bike that’s half the capacity of the bigger Yamaha single-cylinder engine?

‘Till next time…

Sir William of Nottingham at your service.

www.ktm.com