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Local rider Stefan “Swanie” Swanepoel from Louis Trichardt had to settle for sixth place in the Soutpansberg 400, after he lost valuable time due to fuel problems halfway throught the race.

Weekend action at Aloe Rock MX

Date: 06 August 2015 By: Isabel Venter

Louis Trichardt’s first ever national off-road motorcycling event attracted petrol heads and motorcycling fans from all over the country.  

One of the participants, Ryan Shapiro of Sunoco Race Fuel South-Africa Pty Ltd, described the new Aloe Rock MX as a premier off-road and motocross facility. “Not many can pull off a launch and off-road national competition on the same day … Aloe Rock did, and we salute you!” said Ryan.

One of the participants, Ryan Shapiro of Sunoco Race Fuel South-Africa Pty Ltd, described the new Aloe Rock MX as a premier off-road and motocross facility. “Not many can pull off a launch and off-road national competition on the same day … Aloe Rock did, and we salute you!” said Ryan.

The newly opened Aloe Rock MX Club, just outside of town, hosted the event - the Soutpansberg 400 - the past weekend and also celebrated the official opening of their club.

Local fans saw some great racing by both local racers as well as national racing legends such as Louw Schmidt (Brother Leader Tread KTM) and Brian Baragwanath (Proudly Bidvest Yamaha).  Saturday’s race formed part of round five of the 2015 Totpak National Off-road Championship and Quad Championships.

Apart from the action on the 60km off-road track, there was lots of action on Aloe Rock’s motocross track. Riders from far and wide came to test the ramps and switchbacks on the newly built track, which is currently being registered as a WOMZA (World of Motorsport South Africa) and MSA (Motorsport South Africa) affiliate.

According to the owners, Bianca and Floors Prinsloo, with Aloe Rock MX being the third registered track in Limpopo, it will be possible to start their own Limpopo Regionals by 2016.

Currently, there are only two MX tracks in Limpopo, namely one in Polokwane and one in Phalaborwa.

MX, or motocross,  should not, however, be confused with off-road racing. While both involve motorcycles, MX involves two-wheel motorcycles doing laps on a track that contains several ramps. Off-road racing is determined over a 60km loop, with seven different classes in the motorcycle and quad categories.

National rider Adriano Catalano, who had to withdraw from the race after he experienced mechanical problems with his motorcycle, described the off-road track as tough. “I give it a seven out of 10,” he said.

The track also proved too much for local racer Stefan ‘Swanie’ Swanepoel, who was the lead in the Q1 class after the time trial. He lost valuable time, however, due to fuel problems halfway through the race and had to settle for a sixth place.

“The results of the Soutpansberg 400 will probably play an important role in the outcome of the championships at the end of the season. A few results were shaken up at the Louis Trichardt event, which means that the scores will only be settled at the final events,” remarked Bert Smith from All Stars Racing after the event.

The overall winners of the race were Pieter Holl (Team Bert Smith All Stars Racing Powered by RAD KTM) in first place, Denzil Torlage (Proudly Bidvest Yamaha) in second and Leon Gerber (Team Bert Smith Racing) third.

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Isabel Venter

Isabel joined the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror in 2009 as a reporter. She holds a BA Degree in Communication Sciences from the University of South Africa. Her beat is mainly crime and court reporting.

 
 

More photos... 

Hannes Saaijman kicks up dust on the off-road track. 

Ruben Aucamp from Pretoria defies gravity on the new track of Aloe Rock MX, just outside of Louis Trichardt.

Janneman Potgieter from Polokwane makes his way to one of the daring jumps on the new Aloe Rock MX track.

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