Top motocross riders will be gunning for some action-packed racing in when the first round of the Monster Energy TRP Distributors South African Motocross National Championships at the Rover Motocross Club on Saturday.
With some of the top riders in the country set to descend on the Rover Motocross Club, on Saturday, enthusiasts are set for a day of high octane action out on the dusty Rover track.
Port Elizabeth rider Andrew Wren will be back in the saddle for the first instalment of the national event and said he was “stoked” to be racing, having not planned to race this year.
“I wasn’t planning on racing this year, however, Sharwood Tyre Lorraine had a bike and offered me the ride, it is a 125cc two-stroke, so I will be going up against much bigger bikes in the MX 2 class.
“I have been putting in a lot of work, probably more than I ever have, so I am looking forward to it and while I don’t want to put any expectations on myself, I would hope that I could break into the top ten in the class,” Wren said.
Rover MX chairman Neville Townsend believes the event would again set the tone for the season ahead, with a number of riders from the Eastern Cape looking to stake a claim for top honours.
Race classes will be range from the MX 50cc, MX 65cc, MX 85CC junior and Pro Mini, MX high school, MX 1,2 and 3 as well as a larger MX women’s.
Townsend said more than 160 riders would compete in the spectacle with and at least 30 riders from across the province taking part.
“We have got some new sections at the track, the [Rover] track is also unique in South Africa in that it is the only sand track, which will separate the men from the boys, so to speak,” he added.
The field will also be littered with junior riders, Rover members and other local riders including MX 50cc riders Aiden Retief, Liam Botha, Luke Krull and Seth van der Walt ones to watch out for.
Further up the MX ladder, Craig Kruger (MX3) and Andrew Wren (MX 2) will also be involved in their own battles for top spot in their respective classes.
Townsend said a number of ladies have also signed up in the MX ladies class this year including Rover club members Kelly Benn, Teri Palmer and Kylie Kotze, to name but a few.
“We have had the ladies class racing in previous events, however there has been an increase in ladies entries recently, which is very encouraging for the sport, as we are always looking to grow the sport,” he added.
One rider looking to make a good first impression will be Bay rider Kelly Benn, who will make her debut at the event.
“There will be a lot of fast ladies riding this year, so I am pretty excited and a little nervous to be going up against some of the best riders in the country.
“I have always been riding motorcycles, so taking up MX was just something different, and the last two years has been a lot of fun,” Benn added.
Benn said it was encouraging to see the sport growing amongst ladies across the country, saying, “The more women that are riding, the more are encouraged to join, some ride but are nervous to race, so it is wonderful to see and I cannot wait to get to the start line,” she said.
Food stalls and a children’s play area will also be on hand to ensure spectators are well-taken care off in between races.
Entry for spectators entry fees will cost R60, while children under the age of 12 will gain free entry.