| New winner takes hard-fought Mafikeng Mini Desert |
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 August 10, 2009 The 2009 Mafikeng Mini Desert race produced a new winner, Brian Baragwanath (Yamaha), who won the quad category for the first time while 2007 bike winner Louwrens Mahoney (KTM) did it again. The race, over August 7/8, was round four of the National Off-Road championships of both categories. Mahoney was fastest over the 58km timed trial so started from pole then extended his lead when a number of his rivals fell by the wayside. He won the Open Class ahead of team mate Riaan van Niekerk on a 400cc four-stroke KTM after a perfect tactical game which saw him overtake Jade Gutzeit (BMW) about five kilometres from the finish to take the 250cc Class victory for the fourth consecutive time Mahoney was fastest over the 58km time-trial Baragawanath won the Pro 450cc Class after a close-fought battle with the overall 450 Class leader Dirkie Baard (Honda) who also started from pole with Baragwanath just behind him. It was Baard’s first experience at Mafikeng – it's the Namibian’s first full season in SA – and he was still recovering from a recent appendix operation. Last year’s winner Brendan Badenhorst (KTM) rounded off the podium and won the Open Class after losing time with a flat tyre in the riverbeds. Jacques Breedt (Yamaha YFZ450R) was the fourth quad home, followed by Dale Stock (Kawasaki) and Juan Coetzee (Honda), each scoring points in the Pro 450 Class. Stefan Swanepoel (Suzuki) was the second Open Class rider home though seventh overall Badenhorst made the podium despite a flat tyre in the riverbeds The top 10 was rounded off by Vincent Loubser (Yamaha) who had throttle problems, Hendrik Potgieter (Can-Am) and Leonard dos Santos (Suzuki). In the motorcycle category, Wynand Delport (Yamaha) finished fourth after a race made painful by a broken foot that had not healed properly. He was followed closely by team mate Dillon Inggs, who won the 200cc Class. Altus de Wet (KTM) was sixth overall and second in the 200cc Class while Jarrod Blackman (Honda) finished third in this class. Wade Blaauw, racing again 11 months after a femur injury, did his Honda team proud by completing the race seventh overall and scored a well-deserved third in the Open Class. Team mate Mark Garland rounded off the top 10, just behind Kobus Jonck (Yamaha) and Jonathan Webster (Yamaha), both finishing in the Open Class. Juan Wilken (Yamaha) won the 125cc Class (his fourth class victory this season) with only two more 125cc riders completing this gruelling race – Gert Leenstra (KTM) and Charan Moore (Yamaha). ONLY TWO MADE IT Only seconds separated the front-runners in the Senior Class but it was Wayne Farmer (Gas Gas) who managed to beat arch-rival Brian Bader (Kawasaki) by a mere five seconds after more than 300km. Guy Henley (Kawasaki) finished just behind them in third. Competitors in the Senior Quad Class had to complete the full race distance but only two riders made it. The class-leader, Clive Crouse (Yamaha) beat veteran Yamaha Banshee racer Paul Chomse. The Master Quad Class was won by Jurie Meyer (Yamaha) while the Silver Challenge (for new and inexperienced racers) was won by Regardt Oosthuizen (Can-Am). In the motorcycle category, these classes were won by KTM riders Mark Schutte and Francois de Greef and Yamaha (quad category) won the Manufacturers' award. NO FINISH FOR FAVOURITES A few favourites were forced to throw in the towel. In the motorcycle category that meant last year’s winner, Clayton Enslin (KTM); former double winner Gray Dick (BMW); another former winner, Darryl Curtis (Husaberg); Spencer Kriel (Honda) and Kenneth Gilbert (Kawasaki). In the quad category, Leander Pienaar (Can-Am) was third overall on the last of four loops when he had to retire while Jacques Struwig and Danie Coetzer (KTM); Enrico da Silva (Suzuki) and Glen Loubser (Yamaha) also failed to finish. The penultimate round of the 2009 season, the Caledon 400, will take place in the Dewetsdorp area in the Free State over September 25/26, 2009. |
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