Race Report: Gauteng MX Rd
1 - Terra Topia
05 February 2014
Published with Permission
Submitted by Laren van der Westhuizen
2014 has crept up on us and round 1 of the Gauteng regionals
is already under the belt.
155 riders turned up to show their metal and test their off-season
training program. We are also on the door step of the MX nationals
and riders used this race as an opportunity to measure up
against the pack.
The racing was great and the main thing that stood out was
being able to see who had done pre season training and who
had taken a well earned break. The track was really muddy
in practice, but dried out nicely and left perfect conditions
for racing. The track also had 1 or 2 new things in place.
The change to the start worked well and make for a safer turn
1.
The 50 juniors was a small class, but the racing up
front was good. Luke Borchers held off the charging pack,
but Aeron Wecke kept him in check.
The 50 pro class saw Tyler Tarantino surprise a few
people. he has worked hard with his team in the off season
an holeshotted heat 1. He lead till half way, when Nate McLellan
passed him. Nate showed good speed and will be a candidate
for the national champs.
The 65cc class was one of the biggest on the day. Camden
McLellan was in dominant form and was around 2 secs a lap
quicker than the rest. Jono Mlimi rode in a lonely 2nd, but
a battle for 3rd between Hayden Tully and Christiaan Cilliers
ensued. Christiaan was fast and had some of the fastest times,
but couldn't stay on the bike and had to settle for 4th overall
behind Tully, who showed true grit to fight hard on the day.
The 85cc junior class was a little small, but watching
Dalton venter is like watching poetry. he was fast and checked
out from the rest. An enthralling battle for 2nd happened
between Kargo racing entry, Mathew Green, Calvin Jean Jacques
and a vastly improved Cam Durow. Mat Green held on for 2nd
and Cam 3rd. Calvin showed good speed on the new Kawasaki,
but needs to get used to it still.
The pro-mini class was a mix and match. Marco DeVrye
won heat 1 convincingly, but couldn't seem to get going in
heat 2. The pocket rocket, Justin Thompson had a tough heat
1, but came back to win heat 2. Marco did enough to win overall.
Thompson finished 2nd ahead of Dalton Venter and a hard charging
Mathew Kruger.
The 125 class was one of the biggest on the day. The
starts and turn one was carnage. The lived up to their name
of Kamikaze pilots. Sorren Munks was a surprise winner of
heat 1. he has worked hard in the off season and it has paid
off. The big gunners chased him, but to no avail. Unfortunately,
he crashed at the start of heat 2, but still received Raceworx
KTM rider of the day. The winning in heat 2 went to Josh Mlimi,
who fought from 5th. He also then won overall. Jason Visser
had a tough day on his new Husqvarna, but ground out a 2nd
overall. Tristan Cuthbert was fast, but lacked some fitness
and could only manage 3rd. Tristan is focussing on speed for
his trip to the UK and no doubt will be fit come time to leave.
The MX2 and MX2B was a BIG class. KZN rider,
Maddy Malan came and absolutely conquered. He won both heats
convincingly. He had some resistance in heat 1 from Jesse
Wright on his new KTM. Jesse managed 2nd overall, ahead of
another team KTM rider, Travis Teasedale. Wesley Duplooy had
bad starts and could only manage a 4th as the reigning champ.
The MX2B class was won by Jason visser ahead of Sean Morland
and Janneman Potgieter.
The MX3 class was mixed with the MX1 and had to ride
hard to keep up. Greg Aspinal rode well for his new KTM team
and won the Masters. he will go for that title this year for
sure. Jason Jackman recently got married and rewarded himself
with a win in the vets class.
The MX1's was a stacked class. All the way to last
was talent. None more so than Michael Docherty who is training
hard to go back to the states. Riding for Fast Rockstar Kawasaki,
he rode like a man possessed to win both heats. He even came
from a crash in heat 1 to win. Michael Kok showed good form
on his Yamaha to finish 2nd ahead of a little rusty Kerim
Fitzgerald. No doubt Kerim will be on top form for the national.
Sacha Naude seemed to struggle with setup on his new Yamaha,
but showed good fight in heat 2, showing he has the pace.
It was also nice to see David Goosen mixing it with them on
his new Husqvarna.
The Support class was big as always. Steven Carr won
the class. The ladies were in there as well. Amy Sawyer won
lead ahead of Anais Steenkamp and Thuli Radebe.
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