What SA National Cross Country Motorcycle Report
Where Bloemfontein, Free State
When Saturday 14 September 2024
Community South Africa National
Mahoney, van Schalkwyk are Honda champions
UB Leisure TFC Sleepover Honda Wing Racing with Tork Craft and Dunlop Tyres riders, Seniors class hero Louwrens Mahoney and Masters legend Warrick van Schalkwyk, are 2024 South African Cross Country Motorcycle Champions. The Red Rocket winners were crowned in the Bloemfontein finale on Saturday.
“UB Leisure TFC Sleepover Honda Wing Racing with Tork Craft and Dunlop Tyres are double champions in 2024!” team boss Harry Grobler announced. “Our Honda CRF 450 RX heroes, Warrick Van Schalkwyk raced to another brilliant class win in Bloemfontein to wrap up the Masters title despite a slow start when he was injured. And Louwrens Mahoney did what he had to, to clinch another Seniors championship.
“This is a huge tribute to our incredible team for a huge effort in what has been a really tough and in some ways most forgettable season. “I am immensely proud of not only our champions Louwrens and Warrick, but also our entire team of riders, technicians, crew, let alone our sponsors, suppliers, family and friends, and everyone else who came together to make this happen.”
Warrick van Schalkwyk started gently as he nursed a 2023 injury in the early races, but the Master was unstoppable once he started winning in round 3, from where he went on to win four races on the trot. “Wow, I am lost for words, which is not quite usual for me!” Warrick admitted. “I need to thank Harry Grobler and our entire Red Rocket family for an incredible season, and a double championship to wrap it up. Well done to Lourens too, we worked hard for this and now it’s time to celebrate!”
Louwrens Mahoney on the other hand started strong and then consolidated his advantage through the latter half to clinch yet another Cross Country racing championship. “What a year, it had its ups and downs, but here we are as double UB Leisure TFC Sleepover Honda Wing Racing with Tork Craft and Dunlop champions,” Mahoney admitted. “Huge thanks to my brilliant Honda family for all the effort, this red plate is for every one of you!”
Besides its champions, several other UB Leisure TFC Sleepover Honda Wing Racing with Tork Craft and Dunlop teammates had good outings in Bloemfontein. Seth Young won the High School 125 cc class, where Nathan Westerdale ended fourth. Erik Merry came home ninth overall and sixth in class on his top class OR1 debut, where Hayden Louw finished seventh on his return to the saddle on his CRF 450 RX. Kobus Jonk was fourth in Masters, Blake Young and Tyron Beverley ended fifth and sixth in OR3 on their CRF 250 RXs, and Ruald Potgieter was fifth in 85cc Senior.
“On behalf of the entire UB Leisure TFC Sleepover Honda Wing Racing with Tork Craft and Dunlop team, I dedicate our double championship to our friend and hero Mike Pentecost who so tragically lost his life doing what he loved best in June. This one’s for you champ, you will forever be our hero.”
*Honda Wing Racing salutes its partners, UB Leisure, The Franchise Co, Sleepover Motels, Tork Craft Tools, Henderson Racing Products & Dunlop Tyres, Motul Oils, Justiracing USA, Bikewise, TBR Suspension & 515 Racing.
Issued on behalf of Honda Cross Country
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