Summarize

MSA nationals set to fly in PE

The 2020 MSA South African National Motocross championship presented by Cannabis Energy and TRP Distributors is quite literally set to fly when the first gate of the season drops to see in another year of sensational racing at Port Elizabeth’s rough, sandy and demanding Rover Raceway. And it the past season and this year’s entry lists are anything to go by, we are set for a vintage year in what promises to be an even closer and harder fought championships than ever 
 
Last year’s open class MX1 championship remained unresolved at the time of writing after the final moto of the season was halted due to lightning and a court of enquiry must still decide which lap that race was stopped as that indeed has an outcome on the title — that's how close it was! But it’s all about to explode into extreme action all over again as Maddy Malan (Pepson Plastics Husqvarna) and Tristan Purdon (Red Bull KTM) rejoin battle with 2019 title rivals Lloyd Vercueil (Florstore Ontrend Yamaha) and David Goosen (Out of Africa/Monster Yamaha).

There’s a lot more competition in MX1 this year too as MX2 stalwarts Anthony Raynard (Tintswalo Yamaha), Jesse Wright (Out of Africa/Monster Yamaha), Cameron  Durow (Reef Tankers KTM) Slade Smith (Florstore Ontrend Yamaha) line up in the big banger class too this year, while enduro star Blake Gutzeit (KTM) makes for another most interesting entry. Don’t forget Johan Vogelesang (OC KTM) up to the open class to this year, or Regan Wasmuth  (KTM) among this lot.

While MX1 is indeed star-studded, 250cc MX2 promises to be the jewel in the MSA South African National Motocross Championship crown this year. MX2 also went right down to the line in 2019, but will champion Kerim Fitz-Gerald be back to defend his title aboard his KTM? Rest assured that his main 2029 rivals, Anthony Raynard (Tintswalo Yamaha), Joshua Mlimi (TRP Orland KTM) and Slade Smith (Summit Yamaha) will all be back, while High School champion Dalton Venter steps up alongside MX1 Maddy Malan in Pepson Plastics Husqvarna's MX2 attack.  

Add superstars Bradley Cox (Brother Leader Tread KTM), David Goosen (Out of Africa Monster Yamaha), Tristan Purdon (Red Bull KTM), Jesse Wright (Out of Africa Monster Yamaha) and Cameron Durow (Reef Tankers KTM) and MX2 will without doubt crown the champion of South African motocross champions this year. Don't ignore Liam Gilchrist (RPG Husqvarna), Aviv Orland (TRP Orland KTM), Keegan Hickson-Mahony (Summit Yamaha) and Ryan Angilley (G2 Yamaha) here either.

Last year’s MX3 championship was another class to go right down ot the wire and Brett Bircher (Motul ACR KTM), who led the charge all season long, will be out avenge late starter last year, Ian Topliss (Motul Yamaha) taking the title away from him in the final race of the season. Tyson Engelbrecht   (The Roost KTM) will be back to keep them both honest and also keep an eye on Jonathan Hubbard (Motul ACR KTM), Andre Swart (KTM), Dax Hunt (Eddy 2 Race Husqvarna) and Jaco van Zyl (Orbit Husqvarna) among the motocross madalas.

South African Ladies Motocross champion Kyala Raaff has made a shock move to Kawasaki for 2020 and she intends continuing where she so dominantly left off last year. Megan Jonker (Motul/Leatt Husqvarna), Pegasus Storage Husqvarna de Lima sisters  Cheyenne and KTM girls Natasha Rugani and Kelly Benn are amomng the ladies who have worked hard to close the gap to Raaf this year

Junior motocross continues to thrive in South Africa, starting with the in the 125cc Hight School class where regular podium rider Jonathan Mlimi (Red Bull KTM) will be looking for a clean season after missing much of last year, while Garrick Henley (Out of Africa/Monster Yamaha), Ethan Hoffman (Dirt Rider Yamaha) and Miguel de Waal (Rad KTM) will be keen to dice further up this year’s top ten. The high school field also includes Liam Gilchrist (RPG Nutritech Husqvarna), Kosmas Mamaloukos (Money Wise Tala KTM) and KTM kid Emmanuel Bako, who takes a big step up from 85cc Junior.

Several lower class riders move up to take on the regulars in a packed 85cc Pro Mini field. That KTM gang includes Emmanuel Bako up from Junior, Tristan Durow, Thor Johnson (Just Kids) up from 65cc, Luke Grundy (Iguana Doors), Kyle Townsend (Cannabis Energy), Wesley Mcgavin (Fast), Nathan Kuhn (Young Blood) and a familiar old motocross name in young Tyler Tarantino (Motorex). Husqvarna’s line-up includes fifth lad last year Lucas Venter (CIT), 85 Junior runner-up Deegan Bloomfield (Ridgeway), 65cc third man Liam Botha (Eco Tanks), Calvin Ashford-Smit (Triac), Wian du Plooy (Salley’s) and Pieter Heyns (Summit) while Yamaha entries include sixth last year Bryce Petersen (Linex) and Joshua Fletcher (Salleys).

85cc Junior motocross will see Husqvarna riders Liam Botha (Eco Tanks) who ended third in 65cc last year, Blake Osner (Bikers Warehouse) and Ryan Adler taking on Pieter Brink (Orange County KTM) Linex Yamaha lads Louis Mostert and Joshua Williams among others.

65cc Junior SA champion Neil van der Vyver (Pepson Plastics Husqvarna) is staying put to race against the Husqvarnas of old rival Jordan van Wyk (CIT Fly), 50cc graduates Keenan Strauss (EHR Racing 24/7) and Christian Berrington-Smith (Westside), Nicol Smit (Eddy 2 Race) and Caden Weise (Solid Pave). Motul Alfie Cox duo, 2019 runner-up Trey Cox and Blake Frost lead the KTM army of Trent Valsecchi (Youngblood), Matthew Correia (Vic Legacy), 50cc runner-up Jake van Schoor (Acesportsl), Martin Ashton (Just Carz) and Lyla van Breda (Just Kids), while the The blue Yamaha contingent includes Aiden Henley (Out of Africa/Monster), Linex pair Tyler Petersen and Martin Cruz and Damien Venter (Superman Energy).

Last but not least, the baby 50cc motocrossers will see Chase Bekker (Florstor On Trend Husqvarna), Evan Frost (Motul Alfie Cox KTM), Brody Bircher (Motul ACR KTM), Trenton Kretzmann (CIT Husqvarna) Aiden Retief (KTM Port Elizabeth) Alex Cooper (Husqvarna) and Kyle Pienaar (KTM) taking to the track to chase SA’s smallest 2020 two-wheeled racing championship.   

So rest assured that the action will be as wild as ever when that first gate drops come 15 February. Find Rover Raceway on Victoria Drive, Schoenmakerskop in Port Elizabeth — gate entry is R60 per adult with kids under 12  free and you will enojoy cracking racing, full catering, souvenirs at the Sunoco Race Shop and the rest to ensure a great day's outing for all. Practice starts 07h30 with racing from around 10h00 Saturday morning.

The South African National Motocross Championship is proudly presented and sanctioned by Motorsport South Africa in partnership with Cannabis Energy, TRP Distributors, Prepsol, Bridgestone, Thor, Gaerne, FMF, Motul, Pro Taper, 100%, Fly Racing, Ogio, Racestar Graffix and the Sunoco Race Shop.

ENDS

Issued on behalf of SA Motocross

What:MSA National Motocross Round 1 Preview
Where:Rover Raceway, Port Elizabeth
When:Saturday 15 February 2020
Community:South Africa National

For further information please contact noleen@mxsa.co.za

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