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Race Report: The WOMZA Monster
Energy MX National at Syringa
10 September 2014
Published with Permission.
Written by Shane Naude.
Syringa Park, considered the home of Moto-Cross in Gauteng
Province due to it’s long standing history of dirt bike
racing, dating back to the late 1960’s, was given the
opportunity to host Womza’s Final Round of the South
African National Championship at this both demanding and spectacular
venue.
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During my twenty (20) years of active participation
in moto-cross events across South Africa, this has been
the most difficult and heartbreaking rider’s briefing
I have ever attended, knowing well that we had recently
lost one of our own.
The presence of deep grief amongst every rider and
every parent was so overwhelming, that I felt lost in
a forest of sorrow. For some moments in life there are
no words and the South African Moto-Cross Community
stood together and devoted this National in loving memory
of Joshua Jennings “100”.
The official practice and qualifying sessions commenced
shortly after an emotional pray from Michael Kok, “appealing
to our creator that all our riders be kept safe”.
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MX 2 Seniors (250F)
The MX 2 qualifying times looked similar to that of
a Formula One Q3 session (with the top seven riders,
all within one and a half seconds of each other). Kawasaki’s
Wyatt Avis showed the youth that he still possesses
the natural speed required to qualify in pole position.
Nicholas Adams and Tristan Purdon (the juniors of the
class), were on the cable in the first heat and most
certainly gave the senior riders something to think
about. Sacha was well aware of his narrow 11 point buffer
and pushed extremely hard to take the lead from Tristan
and secured the win in the first heat. Purdon finished
second by a small margin of 3,4 seconds and Yamaha’s
Michael Kok came in third.
Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks,
as Mr Avis (in his twilight years), had a great nights
sleep on Saturday and convincingly took the win in the
first MX 2 heat on Sunday. Sacha Naude and Michael Kok
took second and third place respectfully.
Having succumbed to a few unfortunate racing incidents,
Tristan Purdon gave 100% in the final MX 2 heat of the
day and was charged down until the checkered flag by
Michael Kok (88), that was riding like a man possessed.
Nicholas Adams rounded off the top three and Sacha strategically
settled in fourth position. A total of 66 points was
sufficient for Yamaha’s No 54 to secure the overall
win for the day and simultaneously take the 2014 Womza
MX 2 Championship. Yamaha, for the first time this year
had taken all three (3) spots of the podium, something
Grant Foley had confidently predicted for a long period
of time.
The Premier Class MX
1 (450F)
The Premier Class kicked off with a surprisingly fast
lap by Lloyd Vercueil on his Kawasaki and the young
man had first gate choice.
Michael Kok was a man on a mission in the MX 1 Class
and had a point to prove. This weekend’s MX 1 victory
was for the Jenning’s family and losing was not
an option. Michael was on another level in the first
heat and beat both Kerim and Sacha by a substantial
margin.
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“The Kokstar” approached the second heat
with a similar mind set to that of the first heat and
his sole purpose was to win. Sacha had a more calculating
approach, by consolidating sufficient points to secure
the championship and comfortably finished the race in
second position. Lloyd Vercueil had a great race, looked
focused, fit and finished third.
With the MX 1 Championship basically in the bag, Sacha
took a unilateral decision to “drop the hammer”,
and won the third and final MX 1 heat to show the crowd
exactly why “The Sach-Mystar” deserved the
2014 MX 1 (450F) Championship. This was to be Yamaha’s
second Premier Title of the day and year, with the same
rider and the same brand.
Michael Kok deservedly took the glory, as he rode the
race of his life and took the top step of the podium
at Syringa Parks National. After a long weekend of racing,
Sacha was content having secured the second spot of
the podium.
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125 High School Junior and
Senior - “The Kamikaze Kids”
Reid Sinnicks was the fastest 125 Senior Rider and Jason Visser
secured pole position in the 125 Junior Class by split seconds
in an extremely competitive class.
Joshua Mlimi’s riding was outstanding all weekend, as
he raced like a true champion, attacked the track with total
confidence and made very few mistakes.
“Bubba” was most certainly the rider of the day
in his age group and stood on top of the podium after winning
all three (3) heats. The real pitbull of the high school class
(Husqvarna’s Charl Van Eeden) in my opinion, has improved
the most during 2014 and well deserved his second position
on the podium.
Tyron Nel showed great form, secured the final spot on the
podium and has also made great steps in improving his riding
on a 125.
Jason Visser, better known as the “Silent Assassin”
had in principle sealed his championship by the last National
held in East London National, and did the bare minimum at
Syringa to secure the 125 Junior Championship. Husqvarna’s
No 14, put in a solid effort in the second heat on Sunday
and had a competitive race with Joshua Mlimi. Jason’s
championship points after the second heat were more than sufficient
to secure the 125 High School Championship and this accomplishment
is a ground breaking achievement for Husqvarna as they convincingly
took their maiden championship in 2014.
Reid Sinnicks was a late entry into the 125 Senior Class and
used this opportunity to boost his confidence after a lengthy
lay off. This was a great decision, as it most certainly assisted
with Reid’s come back, and also set the pace for younger
riders in the 125 Junior Class.
Reid had the privilege of racing Yamaha’s all new industry
proven 125 that has been upgraded for 2015, showing Yamaha’s
continued commitment to developing two stroke technology.
MX 50cc JUNIOR - OVERALL
The 50cc class was a nice big field. Zimbabwe's Daiyaan Manuel
was leading the first heat until his bike stopped. That handed
the win to Chase Hanekom. Daiyaan came back to win the next
2 heats, but Chase's consistency earned him the overall. Wiaan
Duplooy was 2nd overall and Nate McLellan was 3rd.
MX 65cc - OVERALL
The 65cc class was a turn up for the books as regular winner
in 2014, Camden McLellan rode easy to secure the championship
and left the door open for an in form Christiaan Cilliers
who won 2 of the 3 heats. Jono Mlimi won the first heat, but
had to settle for 2nd overall.
MX 85cc JUNIOR - OVERALL
The 85 junior class had some awesome riding, despite the small
class. The first heat was particularly good, with Slade Smith,
Cayle Dormehl and Cameron Durow trading blows. Slade Smith
managed to win all 3 heats. Cayle Dormehl managed a 2nd in
heat 2, but could not find the pace to beat Durow in the first
and 3rd heats,
MX PRO-MINI - OVERALL
Justin Thompson won the pro-mini class and was like watching
poetry in motion. He has heaps of confidence after his USA
trip. He did manage to fall in the final heat, but came back
for 3rd and the overall. Janes Van Sandwyk won the final heat
and claimed 2nd overall which is great on the back of his
FIM Africa title. Slade Smith had a puncture in the final
heat but circulated and did enough for 3rd overall.
MX3 - OVERALL
The MX3 class was a 2 horse battle. Ian Topliss and Roger
Bergstrom showed the rest the way around. Ian Topliss had
3 holeshots out of 3 and was enough to beat his KZN counterpart,
Roger Bergstrom. Terence Monk dominated the Masters class
and Rod Bergstrom proved that age is just a number, by winning
the grand masters class.
I speak for the entire South
African Moto-Cross Fraternity, and thank our primary sponsors
that have made this championship possible:
WOMZA, Racestar Graffix, Drift, Monster Energy, DC Shoes,
Bridgestone, Kyocera, TRP Distributors, Bel Ray, Thor Racing,
FMF.
Over and above the Financial Supporters / Contributors mentioned
above, the sponsorship received from Bidvest Yamaha, KTM SA,
Husqvarna and Kawasaki South Africa have assisted and allowed
many of our junior and senior riders to develop and race at
the highest level. We take this opportunity to thank both
our title sponsors and series sponsors
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