After what seemed like an eternal four month break, the 2004 Namibian Moto Cross Championships commences on saturday 21 February. The first leg of the new season will be sponsored by Messrs First National Bank and the official event name will be "First National Bank MX-Challenge". The Head of Marketing, Steve Coetzee is always puzzeld about the ever new ideas and ever new highlights the Windhoek Moto Cross Club comes up with every year. "I’m stunned by all these activities, accomplished by this small Club. It shows what can be done by enthusiastic members in our society", he emphasized at the cheque-handover. The First National Bank is a true supporter of mx-racing for the past 6 years already, be it "Nationals" or the annual "Inter Series"!

Now the time has come to proof, that the new "moped" is superior to the one from the previous year! In the Open-Class approximately 10 riders will be competing for the honours. Defending Champion Ingo Waldschmidt trusts again this year the Yamaha but he will receive some stiff competion from Reiner Becker (7-times ex-champion) who, after a break last year, wants to win the championship on his trustworthy Honda. Another strong contender will be Wolfgang Rohe, who needs a break-through at last. A further candidate for the rostrum is Ronnie Adams, a promising rider representing the Suzuki colours. Shawn Bruwer was hampered last year by some injuries, if back to full strength he’s always good for a place on the podium. Carl Riethmann, Siegfried Pack and some newcomers complete a field which lacks nothing in strength!

In the Masters Class defending Champion Eckhard Waldschmidt will face some stern opposition from the likes of Fakkie Gous, Stephan Gradtke, Kai Hohmeier or Jürgen Brendel and hopefully Dooly Engels will be back! Those riders will race together with the Open Class riders, so the spectators will be entertained with lots of thrills and excitement in this category.

Similar exciting will be the 125cc Class where Uwe Sternagel will try the utmost to defend his Champion title again this year. The young talent Uwe will receive some stiff opposition from Arno Engels. Arno spent the whole of last year in Europe where he learnt a lot , these two riders will fight tooth and nails! Björn Jörges is another rider with a standing "appointment" on the rostrum. Björn had a very good season last year ands his new bike should suit his style. Another hot contender for the podium is Tommie Gous, he was out of contention for most of the 2003 season, due to a broken leg. Tommie will be back in full strength! Another rider that improved tremendeously in the last 12 month is Kirsten Spangenberg. He should never be underestimated! Some of last years 85cc riders will join the 125cc Class. Adrenalin rushes are guaranteed!

Animal Wise deservedly won the 85cc Class the previous year.In all likelyhood he will defend his title, but also will challenge the boys in the 125cc Class. Behind the Champion we will witness the eternal fight between the rivals Björn Bierbrauer and Kai Pritzen. Most improved riders of the previous year are Frank Klosta and Sascha Becker. Behind the afore mentioned riders we expect some tough handlebar-banging between Alexander Howard, Henry O’Kennedy, Tyron Watkins and Heiko Itzko.

Similar exciting will be the 65cc Class . With Bierbrauer and Pritzen racing the higher 85cc class, the road is wide open for Erhard Pajewski to win the First National Bank Trophy. Erhards stems from a famous Moto Cross family, so he was born with "petrol" in his genes. But it won’t be a march-through for Erhard, he will be challenged by Jaco Loots and Jürgen Brendel jun. But there are more riders that want to race up front, boys like Geoffrey Erasmus, Eckhard Hall, Daniel Pajewski or Claude Brendel.

The Clubmen’s Class will also feature and the WMCC hopes that it will be a strong Class again from which will emerge some new talents and also the 4-Wheelers are welcome to particiapte. Both Classes are highly entertaining and the spectators love it!

The highlight of any mx-racing is the coveted "FNB-King of the Dirt" race over 20 long minutes. Only the fittest will survive the gruelling distance!

Afterwards the Windhoek Moto Cross Club invites the public to a Party of note. DJ Coco will play popular, contemporary discs and on request he will play some oldies! A Party not to be missed!!

Don’t forget, First National Bank MX-Challenge on 21 February at Gallina Moto Cross Park, situated next to the road to Okahandja, 15 kilometers outside of Windhoek!