Dugmore wins "Air Namibia-Pepsi Dirt Busters"

Dugmore wins "Air Namibia-Pepsi Dirt Busters"

Posted by Admin on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 08:34 AM

At his fourth attempt, he finally succeeded. Collin Dugmore has won the final leg of the Namibian Moto Cross Inter-Series, which took place under the official name "Air Namibia-Pepsi Dirt Busters". Collin is the ninth "International Open Namibian Champion", a title which had been missing from his collection.
Unfortunately the organiser, F&H Promotions, had to register a slight decline in the number of spectators visiting the event this year, but this should have been balanced out by the great number of teens who were very interested in the Jägermeister foam-party on that night!.
This MX-mega event had been well organised by the Windhoek Moto Cross Club. Ingo Waldschmidt received a lot of praise for his preparation of the race track. In this respect special praise also goes to the firm Namibia Construction, who continuously had their water lorry running. A special thanks to the firm Windhoek Hire Sales & Services, who once again provided their big mobile crane, which came into use at the presentation ceremony. This Inter-Series again was also a promotion for Namibia. The many European guests were enthused and all want to return to our country. Boyd Karsmakers got married directly after the "E.L. Sea Products King of the Dirt" run, on top of the the finishing table. That was a novelty!

The commentator Fritz Kaufmann, skilfully guided the spectators through a mammoth programme that day.

1st heat Open class
... the gate drops and once more Boyd Karsmakers from the Netherlands is the first to race towards the eye of the needle in the first curve. Ross Branch and Collin Dugmore first have to bulldoze their way to the front. Ronnie Adams is up front as well as the young German Benjamin Kolberg. Dugmore's bike stalls and he has to continue the race working himself continuously from ninth place to the front again. The groom, Boyd Karsmakers, wins the 1st heat!

Results:
1. Boyd Karsmakers, The Netherlands, Suzuki, 20 points; 2. Ross Branch, Botswana, Kawasaki, 17; 3. Benjamin Kolberg, Germany, Yamaha, 15; 4. Collin Dugmore, Germany, de Groot-Kawasaki, 13; 5. Ronnie Adams, Namibia, Suzuki, 11;

2nd heat Open Class
....having serviced his bike, Collin Dugmore confidently rides to the gate. But once more Boyd Karsmakers wins the holeshot. Behind him, Branch, Kolberg and Dugmore battle to catch up. Dugmore ultimately rides off and away. Ross Branch literally flies over Gallina but still he isn't able to get past Karsmakers. Between the Namibians Ingo Waldschmidt and Ronnie Adams a hard battle emerges. This time, Ingo is able to turn the tables and gains important points for the championship.

Results:
1. Collin Dugmore, Germany, de Groot-Kawasaki, 20; 2. Boyd Karsmakers, The Netherlands, Suzuki, 17; 3. Ross Branch, Botswana, Kawasaki, 15; 4. Benjamin Kolberg, Germany , Yamaha, 13; 5. Ingo Waldschmidt, Namibia, Yamaha, 11;

Now let us take a look at the heats in the 125cc class. Especially for this race, Karl Stegen from Pietermaritzburg, South Africa came to Gallina. Karl is one of the most talented up-and-coming MX-riders in South Africa but on that day he didn't have a chance against Ross Branch.

1st heat 125cc class
Ross Brach wins the race from start to finish – nothing more to commentate on! It's unbelievable how fast this guy is on Gallina. Behind him, a strong battle takes place between the young German Robert Sturm and Karl Stegen. Karl builds up a lot of pressure but isn't able to pass. Then Sturm makes a little mistake towards the middle of the race and Stegen gets by. Behind the two , Frank Klosta and Alexander Howard fight it out.

Results:
1. Ross Branch, Botswana, Kawasaki, 20; 2. Karl Stegen, South Africa, Honda, 17; 3. Robert Sturm, Germany, Kawasaki, 15, 4. Frank Klosta, Namibia, Yamaha, 13; 5. Alexander Howard, Namibia, Yamaha, 11;

2nd heat 125cc class
It is almost a copy of the first heat! Branch wins the holeshot and rides far away up front, followed by another exciting duel between Sturm and Stegen. This time a mechanical defect hinders Sturm: the carburettor loosens from the flange and the engine dies. What a pity!

Results:
1. Ross Branch, Botswana, Kawasaki, 20; 2. Karl Stegen, South Africa, Honda, 17; 3. Frank Klosta, Namibia, Yamaha, 15; 4. Alexander Howard, Namibia, Yamaha, 13; 5. Robert Sturm, Germany, Kawasaki, 11;

Now the highlight of the day, the all-deciding heat "E.L. Sea Products King of the Dirt" takes place. Nervously the riders stand at the gate, prepare the starting line with their boots, stamp the earth... then the gate drops and it is of course Boyd Karsmakers who shoots towards the first turn. At the back, Rudi Brand and the man from Zambia, Russel Foyle collide in the dust. Both are able to continue the race unharmed. Branch and Dugmore build up a lot of pressure and Karsmakers has to make way in the end. He has to let the two Kawasaki protagonists pass. Behind them a real struggle between Benjamin Kolberg, Robert Sturm and Karl Stegen emerges. Twice Stegen hits the ground but immediately continues racing and fights with all his might. Behind him the "Namibian Championships" are taking place. On that day Ingo Waldschmidt again shows that he is the strongest, being able to leave Tommi Gous and Ronnie Adams behind him. Frank Klosta is able to keep up until a flat tyre throws him far back.

Results “E.L.Sea Products King of the Dirt”
1. Collin Dugmore, Germany, Desert Logistics-Kawasaki, 20 Punkte;
2. Ross Branch, Botswana, Electro Light-Kawasaki, 17
3. Boyd Karsmakers, The Netherlands, Coastal Couriers-Suzuki, 15
4. Benjamin Kolberg, Germany, John Meinert-Yamaha, 13
5. Robert Sturm, Germany, Circle Motors-Kawasaki, 11
6. Karl Stegen, South Africa, Radiowave 96,7-Honda, 10
7. Ingo Waldschmidt, Namibia, Lerch & Co.-Yamaha, 9
8. Tommi Gouds, Namibia, Zenner-Yamaha, 8
9. Ronnie Adams, Namibia, Suzuki-Namibia, 7
10. Alexander Howard, Namibia, Yamaha,

Herewith the overall standings of this year's Inter-Series are clear. Collin Dugmore is the "International Open Namibian Champion" with 40 points, ahead of Ross Brach (34) and Boyd Karsmakers (30).

In the supporting programme national heats for children and youngsters took place. In the 50cc Junior class Harris Cloete once again stood his ground against William Smith and Michael Barlow.

Hard and international was the 50cc senior class. Botswana’s Martin Paterson was defeated by the Namibian Matthew Nederlof in the second heat but still won with 57 points ahead of Matthew (54) and 'Princess' Claire Brendel (45).

The 65cc class also had an international cast. Jayden Ashwell from Zimbabwe was unbeatable that day. The Namibian Mark Sternagel could keep up well with two second places but only came fifth in the third heat, giving the overall second place to the young Ian Dykes from Botswana.

Björn Bierbrauer forwent his participation in the 125cc class due to a hard crash during the compulsory training and concentrated on the 85cc class. Three start to finish victories once again showed that he is the true master of this class. Jaco Loots left a strong impression when he left coastal-boy Eckhard Hall behind him on third place, himself gaining three second places. Fourth came the Zimbabwean Kegan Ashwell.

Exciting as always were the heats in the Clubmen’s Class. Jose Texeira from Angola, Henner Rusch and Bernd Marting, both from Namibia, as well as the German Carsten Kölling, all had a chance to win. Due to Texeira's severe fall in the third heat, with the paramedics from E-MED having to rush to the scene, Carsten won the heat and also became the winner of the day. Henner Rusch made second place ahead of Jose Texeira.

In the Quad Open Class the Namibians had no chance against the strong South Africans Tony Cutino and Shawn Gunter. Warren Isaaks secured himself a 3rd place on the podium, ahead of his fellow countryman Fanie Steenkamp. One can only repeat it again: Quad races are simply exciting and are very well received by the spectators! Jean Venter won the Quad-B-Group, ahead of Eugen Slippers and Sven Hart. Sven again had a bad crash during the third heat but the people from E-MED were there immediately to administer first aid. Sven can continue with his favourite sport.

This was the Inter-Series 2005! Exciting as always. A big THANX must be extended to the sponsors. Firms like Air Namibia, Pepsi and all smaller sponsors, who have made this racing day possible at all. A thank you also goes out to those persons behind the scenes: Without your commitment and support there would not be Moto Cross in Namibia.

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