Pepson Plastics Factory Kawasaki Racing – 2023 Team

Jan 26, 2023

Some of the Pepson Plastics Factory Kawasaki Racing team members at the launch at Legends MX in Joburg, by Kevin Sanders Disruptive Intent

We cruised to Rhino Park recently to touch base with the members of the Pepson Plastics Factory Kawasaki Racing team line-up for 2023. Chatting with team boss and rider Iain Pepper, himself a stalwart and stellar performer in SA car motorsport. Iain understands that a happy team on the right machinery will often translate to Championship Trophies. Having said that, he is building a racing family where winning is the goal, but it is not the Be-all and End-all. The change, a couple of years ago from Husqvarna to Kawasaki, has turned out well, with four Championships on the shelf.

New for 2023 is the move from the 2022 SA National High School Champion, Wian Wentzel, to the 250cc OR3 Class. That should put a talented cat amongst them pigeons! He will be campaigning a lone KX250X. His initial impressions of the Green Machine are pretty positive, so watch that space. Kenny Gilbert, the vastly experienced speedster and National Seniors Champion will campaign a KX450X. Joining him, on a KX250X, is a fellow perhaps better known for his car circuit racing exploits and tuning skills, Lee Thompson.

Also on a KX450X for another season is Jaycee Nienaber, again with Wade Den as teammate. Motul Tech Maestro, Taki Bogiages, is stepping up a class to also wrestle the potent KX450X, which I have on good authority he has been spending some quality time on.

Looking to the future, Iain and his team continue to invest in the Junior Class. Nathan Sinclair, Jake Pretorius and brothers Clayton and Dylan Human will be contesting 85cc Juniors. Jayden Boyce will compete in GXCC races. The team ethos is “race to win, but make sure you have fun doing it”.

If anyone understands the importance of sponsors it is a seasoned motorsports campaigner like Iain. The Pepson Plastics Factory Kawasaki Racing team is no different. Backing the team are obviously title sponsors Pepson Plastics and Kawasaki SA, but also making significant contributions to the team effort are Gilbert Mining & Engineering, Reinhardt Transport (Pty) Ltd, Acerbis (whose products were evident on many of the bikes), Motul South Africa, with their spectacular lubricants and bike care products, DID, Arai, Renthal, Michelin, TBR Suspension and Scottish Cables. All quality contributors to a quality team.

Racing is a cruel mistress. As we look to the year ahead, last year’s results are now history and it all needs to happen all over again. But then again, that is what keeps bringing us back, both as racers and spectators. Who will triumph in 2023? Only time will tell, but the Pepson Plastics Kawasaki Factory Racing team are certainly not going to rest on their Laurels. Let the games begin!

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