Publications
Partners
Most of South Africa’s top off-road quad competitors are already on the entry list for the Namaqua African Rally, a multi-stage off-road ‘Rally Raid’ that will take place from April 25 - May 3 in the Western Cape.
The event will be SA’s own ‘mini-Dakar’ and caters for off-road motorcycle and quad competitors with a variety of categories and classes. With ‘Early Bird Entries’ (competitors will receive a discount of 10% on the standard entry fee) that close on February 1, it seems off-road quad riders are extremely keen to compete.
SA'S FAVOURITES
A handful of SA quad riders have competed in the gruelling Dakar Rally while two riders – Vicus van Deventer and Cornel de Villiers – have won this event in Africa.
Entries include the 2012 and 2013 overall winner of the National Off-Road quad championship and Q1 champion, Jurie Meyer (21), who is also a quad-MX champion, along with Brian Baragwanath (25) – both from Polokwane.
Baragwanath, along with Hannes Saaijman and Ted Barbier, created Team Rhide SA (the name Rhide forms a connection with Anti-Rhino Poaching) and will use this event as practise for the 2015 Dakar Rally.
One of South Africa’s most experienced quad riders, Jacques Struwig, better knows as ‘Boesman’, has also entered. He is the off-road quad competitor who has the longest history for competitive off-road quad racing in SA and has been racing for more than 15 years.
It is also interesting to see the names of the three Dos Santos brothers from Hoedspruit, Tony, Roxy and Paul, on the list. They are avid competitors known for travelling long distances to compete in the National series as well as in the Gauteng-based PS Portable Shade GOC series.
LADIES TOO
Young East London quad rider Chardri Monk (23) was one of the first entrants for this event followed by 2013 Ladies Quad Class Challenge winner Liezel Barnard, known for competing with a big Can-Am Renegade 1000cc. While these two ladies have entered in the Q1.1 (quads up to 450cc) and Q1.2 (unlimited) respectively, Jenna Scott has entered in the Quad Pairs Class.
Capetonians Clive Crouse and Colin Joubert, are keen for this event on their doorstep. Both were competitive racers with Joubert a former Senior Class Champion while Crouse has scored many class victories and podium positions.
2012 Junior National champion Jaco Moller (18) from Tzaneen, missed the Botswana Desert Race in 2013 so wants to prove his mettle at the upcoming event so could be the youngest quad competitor to finish– a victory is also not too far from his mind.
Other riders include Nick Black; Motlapele Majama from Botswana; former National quad rider, Claude Newberry; well-known quad-builder, John Graham from Cape Town and Liezel’s husband Banie Barnard.
There are three classes in each category – Class 1 for motorcycles up to 250cc; Class 2 for 251 -450 and Class 3 for 451-1 200cc. There is also a Promotional Category in which riders can enter motorcycles that do not comply with the technical regulations. These riders and their bikes will not be eligible for an outright placing but may be accepted on application.
Event organiser George Booker says the Litres Class will attract competitors. This is for two and four-stroke off-road motorcycles with a fuel tank of no more than 15 litres fitted with a road-book reader and an ICO countdown meter. All aftermarket products such as exhausts, steering dampers, suspension and modifications are allowed.
Visit the Namaqua African Rally website for more information or on the Facebook page Namaqua African Rally.
The event will be SA’s own ‘mini-Dakar’ and caters for off-road motorcycle and quad competitors with a variety of categories and classes. With ‘Early Bird Entries’ (competitors will receive a discount of 10% on the standard entry fee) that close on February 1, it seems off-road quad riders are extremely keen to compete.
SA'S FAVOURITES
A handful of SA quad riders have competed in the gruelling Dakar Rally while two riders – Vicus van Deventer and Cornel de Villiers – have won this event in Africa.
Entries include the 2012 and 2013 overall winner of the National Off-Road quad championship and Q1 champion, Jurie Meyer (21), who is also a quad-MX champion, along with Brian Baragwanath (25) – both from Polokwane.
Baragwanath, along with Hannes Saaijman and Ted Barbier, created Team Rhide SA (the name Rhide forms a connection with Anti-Rhino Poaching) and will use this event as practise for the 2015 Dakar Rally.
One of South Africa’s most experienced quad riders, Jacques Struwig, better knows as ‘Boesman’, has also entered. He is the off-road quad competitor who has the longest history for competitive off-road quad racing in SA and has been racing for more than 15 years.
It is also interesting to see the names of the three Dos Santos brothers from Hoedspruit, Tony, Roxy and Paul, on the list. They are avid competitors known for travelling long distances to compete in the National series as well as in the Gauteng-based PS Portable Shade GOC series.
LADIES TOO
Young East London quad rider Chardri Monk (23) was one of the first entrants for this event followed by 2013 Ladies Quad Class Challenge winner Liezel Barnard, known for competing with a big Can-Am Renegade 1000cc. While these two ladies have entered in the Q1.1 (quads up to 450cc) and Q1.2 (unlimited) respectively, Jenna Scott has entered in the Quad Pairs Class.
Capetonians Clive Crouse and Colin Joubert, are keen for this event on their doorstep. Both were competitive racers with Joubert a former Senior Class Champion while Crouse has scored many class victories and podium positions.
2012 Junior National champion Jaco Moller (18) from Tzaneen, missed the Botswana Desert Race in 2013 so wants to prove his mettle at the upcoming event so could be the youngest quad competitor to finish– a victory is also not too far from his mind.
Other riders include Nick Black; Motlapele Majama from Botswana; former National quad rider, Claude Newberry; well-known quad-builder, John Graham from Cape Town and Liezel’s husband Banie Barnard.
There are three classes in each category – Class 1 for motorcycles up to 250cc; Class 2 for 251 -450 and Class 3 for 451-1 200cc. There is also a Promotional Category in which riders can enter motorcycles that do not comply with the technical regulations. These riders and their bikes will not be eligible for an outright placing but may be accepted on application.
Event organiser George Booker says the Litres Class will attract competitors. This is for two and four-stroke off-road motorcycles with a fuel tank of no more than 15 litres fitted with a road-book reader and an ICO countdown meter. All aftermarket products such as exhausts, steering dampers, suspension and modifications are allowed.
Visit the Namaqua African Rally website for more information or on the Facebook page Namaqua African Rally.
