On 19 May the 5th Moto Cross Championships race will be held at the Gallina Moto Cross Park, outside the capital of Windhoek, on the road towards Okahandja. This race is part of the 2007 Wesbank Challenge Series, sponsored by WESBANK, an affiliate of First National Bank of Namibia.
On the previous racing day, the number of participants in the Open/125cc Class, was very pleasing and the organiser hopes that the participation in the upcoming race will be just as high and the offered sport will be just as exciting as it was in Gobabis. The participation of Botswana’s talent Ross Branch on his fast Kawasaki seems a sure thing. It’s a pleasure to watch Ross race along the track - one can practically see how much fun he is having.
As always, the main focus lies on the protagonists in the Open/125cc Class. Yamaha rider Rainer Becker, who after a four year break returned to the sport, took part for the first time again in the Open-Class in Gobabis. He made three bombastic 2nd places behind Ross Branch. That was AWESOME! Suzuki-rider Ronnie Adams, the reigning champion in the Open-Class landed on a good 3rd place in the first heat, but then he slacked. His 5th place in the King of the Dirt was just out of the question. Frank Klosta made a pretty picture despite problems with his clutch in the first heat. The reigning 125cc champ made two 3rd places. Now that his motor problems are sorted out, Frank determines the pace again in his class.
Alexander Howard started the season with a hammer blow, ranking 2nd in the season’s opening race, just behind Branch, a great achievement, which he unfortunately couldn’t keep up during the following races. Alexander had a bad crash in Gobabis, but doesn’t give up hope to be able to ride in Windhoek again. Arno Engels had his big day in Swakopmund, where he ranked 3rd in the Wesbank King of the Dirt on his Honda. . In Gobabis Arno had some bad luck – first the crash with Animal Wise in the first heat, then a papwiel in the second heat. Arno could be a strong aspirant for a podium spot this coming race. Rainer Windisch stepped up into the Open-Class in Gobabis and those who saw him ride, can surmise what talent the guy has. Now he needs to work on his physical fitness, which is still not in peak condition. Sascha Becker improved a lot as well. He has a consistent riding style and quickly finds his line. A bit more aggressiveness and he would be riding way up front.Brannigan “Animal” Wise isn’t in best form yet but as soon as his injuries are healed, we can expect top results again. These should be the guys with a chance on a podium spot.In the KTM-Class, also known as the 50cc Kindergarden-Class Michael Barlow will probably be found in first place. The little guy has enormous speed and has an excellent technique. William Smith and the siblings Yoshua and Esranel Becker will fight for the rest of the podium spots. Those little one will ride on the specifically designed kiddies-track.
The kids in the 65cc Class will have to fight their battles on the main racing track. Eric Garbers determines the pace here but Tristan Muller from Okahandja puts heavy pressure on him. Matthew Nederlof was able to beat little Pauli Loots and it will be exciting to see whether Matthew can repeat this achievement again on Gallina.
KTM-rider Mark Sternagel, 11 year old pupil of Windhoek’s Afrikaans Private School, plays everyone into the ground. He not only regularly wins his 85cc Class sky-high but his dad also lets him ride in the 125cc Class. There he advanced to a Top-10 rider in the gruelling King of the Dirt. It’s an unbelievable achievement! He should be able to uphold this performance on the 19th of May. Jaco Loots, Schalk Louw, Eric Garbers, Niki Rossi and possibly Gundolf Lang will fight for the remaining podium spots.
In the supporting programme, races in the Clubmen’s Class will be held, which don’t count as part of the Namibian Championships. Here Mark Ratheiser is the one to beat and Billy Heigan was able to do exactly that in the third heat in Gobabis. Billy will try to repeat this achievement in Windhoek. Iwan Esterhuizen and Björn Enselin will battle it out for 3rd place.
In the Quad-Classes we find a considerable number of “daredevils”. Michael Behnke is  momentarily the favourite in the Quads-Clubmen’s Class. Michael is more or less unbeatable in this category. Nokkie Maree, Wolfgang Rohl or André Steinfurt will fight for the remaining podium spots. In the Quads-Ladies-Class Liezl Davies is the measure of all things, but she always has to reckon with heavy attacks by Bollie and Maike Bochert. Celene Adams is still dealing with wrist-problems after having them both fractured during the final race last season. Cee-Ann Greyling is also quick enough to make it on to the podium.
In the Quads-B-Class up to 240cc Eugene Slippers determines the pace. Ecki Spoerer or Marko Roebke should fight for the 2nd vacant podium spot. However, André Maree could still turn the tables. His 3rd place in the second heat in Gobabis was quite noteworthy.
In the Quad-A-Class over 240cc the protagonists are meeting. It’s almos madness when these guys race into the first bent after the start, nobody gives way and it’s always a miracle that no crashes occur . Ronnie Adams has a full clasp on his class but regularly he has to ward off heavy attacks by pugnacious Jan de Haan or Dirk Baard. Both were able to beat Ronnie this season and they are keen on doing it again. Exciting races are guaranteed!
So for those who love Xtreme sports, don’t forget the WESBANK Championships race on the 19th of May at the Gallina Moto Cross Park. Food and beverages, including Nando’s chicken burgers, will be offered by Joker’s Pizzeria. Take your whole family to Gallina!