SKY-HIGH WHEELIE
Rover club set for plenty of thrilling action on ‘SA’s most demanding track’
READY TO ROAR: Warming up for Saturday’s Monster Energy SA Motocross Nationals at the Rover Track on Victoria Drive, Port Elizabeth, are Kyle Townsend, 8, (50cc class) and an airborne Andrew Wren, 19, (250cc and 450cc class)
ATOTAL of 140 riders from around the country will take part in the Monster Energy South African Motocross Nationals at Rover Motorcycle Club on Saturday.
Rover vice-chairman Warren Halgreen said the event was bound to be action-packed, with their track being the toughest in the country.
“We host this event every year as we are part of the national series. This is the most demanding track in South Africa because of the rough conditions in terms of the sand and also the terrain, which has elevation changes. Most of the other tracks are flat. This is a natural track.
“There will be riders from Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia. There are numerous South African champions and past champions who will be competing, ranging from the 50cc support class right through to the veterans moto class which is for riders over 40.
“There will be a women’s class as well, which will include women participants who have competed all over Europe.”
Halgreen said the club had prepared well for the event and was looking to attract a big crowd.
“We expect about 2 000-3 000 spectators. We have done quite a bit of infrastructure upgrading to our facilities. A beer garden with a tent and a kiosk that will provide food will be in place.
“We are very structured in terms of the pits that we offer the riders – nowhere else in the country is as organised as we are.”
He said riders to look out for were last year’s champions Sasha Naude from Gauteng (MX1), Anthony Reynard from Cape Town (MX2) and Port Elizabeth’s Seth van den Abeele (85cc).
Local rider Andrew Wren, 19, who will be competing in the MX1 and MX2 classes, said he was looking to having a successful weekend and achieving his personal best. “I have many friends and family who will be coming out to support me.”
Grey Junior Grade 2 pupil Kyle Townsend – who is second on the Rover log in his age group – said he wanted to have fun.
“It’s my first time taking part in a big competition like this. I just want to enjoy myself and also win. I started riding in January. What I enjoy the most when riding my bike is that it’s very tough and I can go very fast,” the eightyear-old said.
The entrance fee for spectators is R50, with children under 12 free.