The name Van Breda is famous in South African motorcycle racing circles. Les Van Breda not only had a stellar career in South Africa, but he was also one of the talented few who was able to make the transition from national racing to international racing – which was no mean feat in the late 1970s.
Having started racing – and winning races and championships – in the 1960s, it was the following decade that brought the most success for Les, including 500cc SA National Champion in 1971, ’73 and ’76. This gave him the confidence to travel with compatriots Kork Ballington and Jon Ekerold to Europe to race on the international Grand Prix circuit. While Ballington and Ekerold competed in the 250cc and 350cc classes, Les Van Breda raced in the 350cc and 500cc classes. As a privateer, he found himself up against the likes of Barry Sheene, Kenny Roberts and Mick Grant, the top racers of their day, all racing factory bikes.
The late 1970s were the highlight for the privateer racer who was eligible to race at Grand Prix level. Les acquitted himself brilliantly, often finishing as top privateer in Grands Prix and podiuming at non-Grand Prix international races. Les raced on both closed circuits and also in Irish and Dutch road racing, at events such as the North West 200 – to survive that, was an achievement in itself. Les managed all this while travelling with his wife and two young children. It couldn’t have been easy for the family, but their presence went a long way to enabling Les to compete at the top level.
Les retired from competition and returned to South Africa to concentrate on his Suzuki dealership in Springs and raising his family. He helped to manage and nurture the next generation of South African racing teams and riders, and also found great success in preparing racing motorcycles for customers. In this role, he was a Motul pioneer, being one of the first people to use the company’s products once they became available in South Africa in the early 1990s.
Sadly, Les passed away in 2022, but his son Graeme has taken over the reins of the business. He is also an experienced racer and, to prove that racing runs in the family, his son Jason is already on the first rungs of the ladder to his own successful racing career.
Graeme is currently racing in the Kawasaki Masters ZX10 Cup as the reigning champion and 2023 championship leader. His father would undoubtedly be proud, and it’s clear that Graeme holds dear the memories he has of the time spent alongside his father:
“Times with my dad are some of my fondest memories,” said Graeme. “He taught me everything I know. I almost stopped riding when he passed away last year as I was totally lost without him, but decided that that’s not what he would have wanted, so I went out and won the championship in his honour.”
Looking at Graeme with his son Jason, who is 11 years old and reigning 85cc champion and was runner up in the 150cc championship last year, it is clear, that the apple has not fallen far from the tree and that, in the years to come, Jason will have his own fond memories of racing with his father. Indeed, before his passing, Les acted as a mentor to Jason so the youngster will have had the benefit of two generations of Van Breda to guide him. It was his Grandpa who taught him maybe the most valuable lesson of all:
“One of my favourite pieces of advice I got from my Grandpa was: ‘If someone passes you, you must pass them straight back.’” Sound advice and it’s clear that Jason has taken it to heart.
For the Van Bredas, racing always has been, and remains, a family affair. “Racing is very much the whole family being there and involved but practice and testing is very much dad and son time,” says Graeme. “My dad is a very special person who always tries his best in everything he does. He is my best friend,” replies Jason. It is reassuring to know that the Van Breda legacy is in good hands.
Both Graeme and Jason are Motul athletes, believing fully in the quality of Motul products, be they essential lubricants for the hard-working engines and gearboxes or the extensive range of cleaning and maintenance products. Oil technology has come a long way since Les’ time racing in the ‘60s and ‘70s and Graeme knows as well as any other racer that anything that can give you the slightest advantage, is a weapon to be used in a racer’s armoury. Motul gives him that advantage.
“Well, I use all of the Motul products, and it would be difficult to choose a favourite or, rather, a most important one but, if I had to choose, then it would have to be the Motul 300v engine oil as I have never had a blown engine while using it.” He makes it sound so casual but, to finish first, first, you must finish and blowing an engine isn’t part of that equation. Also, anything Graeme can do to reduce the maintenance between races leaves more time for preparation of both the bikes and the riders which, in the Van Bredas’ case, means squash, tennis and many hours on the MX track.
For Motul South Africa, supporting local racing is an important element of their commitment to excellence. The global lubricant manufacturer understands that involvement in racing is an important factor in the development of new and relevant products.
“We are delighted to have been a partner to three generations of the Van Breda family – just one of our enduring relationships and further proof of Motul’s commitment to motorcycle racing in general,” said Mercia Jansen (Motul Area Manager for Southern and Eastern Africa).
“We relish the chance to engage with riders and motorsports enthusiasts from across South Africa as we’ve always believed in growing motorsports from the ground up and encouraging more people to get involved through our support of the industry. In particular, we focus on youth – the next generation of motorsport competitors and fans,” she added.
As long as there are the Van Bredas of this world supporting and taking part in motorcycle racing in South Africa, not to mention the support and expertise provided by Motul, we can be assured of its continuing health and growth.
