Walker steals bride on honeymoon.

Most men would be shot if they were to suggest to their future wife that they should combine their honeymoon with a trip to the World Superbikes at Kyalami, but not Ian Hendrie; who's wife of two weeks is a massive Superbike, and Chris Walker, fan. In fact Kirstin Hendrie, as she is now, is such a fan that she refused to name the date for the wedding until after the World Superbike calendar was confirmed in December!

Knowing just how much of a Stalker fan Kirstin was, Ian decided to organise a bit of a surprise for his new wife on their honeymoon. Contacting the Fuchs Kawasaki Racing Team, the 31-year-old groom asked whether it would be possible for 26-year-old Kirstin to stand in as Chris Walker's brolly dolly for the weekend. 'No problem' said the team, which is how Kirstin found herself on today's World Superbike grid, keeping the South African sun off Chris Walker's head.

'I've always had Kawasakis, and we're both big Chris Walker fans, so it seemed like a good idea to contact the Kawasaki team and ask them if it was possible for Kirstin to join them for the day,' said Ian. 'I never expected to hear anything back, as I know they're really busy during the season, but they got in touch straight away and said it would be no problem. Everyone in the team has made us really welcome this weekend, and it's been the highlight of our honeymoon so far.'

For Kirstin, the chance to stand on a World Superbike grid next to Chris Walker was a dream come true, and something she'll remember for a long time to come.

'It's been a real experience, absolutely brilliant,' said Kirstin, after the second Superbike race. 'It was a bit worrying at first, with all the bikes rushing past me on the way to their grid positions, but I soon got used it, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. It was good to see Chris go well in both races but a shame to watch James Ellison, who I also held the brolly for, crash out in the early stages of the Supersport race. I'd just like to say a big thank you to the Fuchs Kawasaki team for making my honeymoon so memorable.'

'Kirstin did a great job for us today,' said Fuchs Kawasaki Team Manager, Harald Eckl. 'It can be a bit daunting stepping onto a World Superbike grid for the first time, but she was a natural and easily a match for any of the "professional" grid girls that were out there. In fact, I think she was one of the most popular with the regular photographers today. Who knows, she may have found herself a new career...'