Grand National MX in Swakop :: Coastal Racing ::

Grand National MX in Swakop

Posted by Admin on Wednesday, September 27, 2006 - 11:37 PM

FIRST National Bank of Namibia (FNB) became the main sponsor of MX in Swakopmund. This sponsor fully recognises all the efforts put into the sport at all venues, be it Omaruru, Gobabis or Swakopmund.
Well organised race-days and a marketing strategy second to none speak for themselves. Namibian Moto Crosser serve as roll model to many a sportcode!
The official name of this event, to be held on September 30th opposite the saltpans north of Swakopmund, is the FNB Grand National MX.
All motorsport fans at the coast can look forward to this last race of the season when riders from all corners of Namibia converge at the Home Building Centre track.
The points-table in the Open Class shows still Ronnie Adams in the lead, but he does not fancy the soft sand at the coast. Same can be said from his opponent Tommi Gous, which gives a rider like Brannigan ‘Animal’ Wise a good chance to surprise everybody. Shawn Bruwer, Frank Klosta, Angolan Jose Teixeira or Alexander Howard to name but a few, are all geared to fight for a top spot too. The overall winner will receive the big Hans Keil trophy.
The riders in the Kindergarten category, the 50cc Class, usually have major problems with their little bikes in the deep sand, nevertheless they also want to improve on the points table. Top contender is the reigning champion Mathew Nederlof, but he may expect some resistance from Harris Cloete while Michael Barlow seems to have booked the third position on the rostrum. Only Armand Storbek could become his spoilsport!
The 2006 Championship in the 65cc Class has been decided already. ‘Mr Maximum’ Marc Sternagel has won again. Eric Garbers will engage in the usual handlebar-banging with Pauli Loots and Tyrone Pieters.
In the 85cc Class Jaco Loots must prove that the defeat he swollowed in Gobabis is a thing of the past. Geoff Erasmus from Okahandja is motivated after defeating Jaco in 3 heats and is eager to repeat this feat. One must not underestimate the skills of the coastal boys Eckhard Hall, Schalk Louw, Niki Rossi and Gundolf Lang will fight tooth and nail for every inch of the way.
Ruhan Gous from Windhoek will represent his hometown in the Clubmen’s Class. In Gobabis he surprised friends and foes alike when he finished second in his first race ever. If Eckhard Waldschmidt travels to Swakopmund he must be considered as favourite in this class. Henner Rusch however will pull all strings to avoid that. Riders like Tony Viljoen, Henry O’Kennedy and Mark Ratheiser will not look on, but will engage in the hot battle for a spot on the podium.
The quadbike categories loved by the spectators. The Swakopmund Offroad Club hopes to see some racers from the coast at the starting gate too. The protagonists in the Quad-A-Class are Ronnie Adams and the old quad-warhorse Fanie Steenkamp. But there are at least 10 other riders who all finished on the podium this season. Riders like Jan de Haan, Jean Venter, Rodney Davis and Clinton Hilfiker, to name but a few.
The Quad Clubmen’s Class is also a strong class with more then 10 racers at the starting grid. Riders like Gavin Murgatroyd, Riaan Fourie or Dennis Raines are all favourites. ‘Frauenpower’ Celene Adams finished twice in the 3rd position in Gobabis. Watch out guys! After the official races, the chairman of the Swakopmund Offroad Club, Chris Hall will start a ‘powder-puff race’ for female novices on quad-bikes.
Food and drinks will be served at the track.

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