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inGEAR: Words & Photos by Zygmund Brodalka

Full ThrottleMX NationalsRound 4 Teza - the battle for supremacy continues

Round 4 of the Full Throttle and Portable Shade Motocross Nationals

commenced at Teza, just 35 km outside of Richards Bay on 30 June.

Now Teza is Sappi territory, and as you enter the grounds you are surrounded by row upon row of trees and

then all of a sudden it opens up and the view that greets you is one of this beautiful valley and an awesome,

hilly, European-style MX track. With the temperature at a balmy 25 degrees, and sunshine forecast for the

weekend, I just knew that we were in for some epic racing.

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Race day got off to an early start to make sure that all the heats

were completed before the sun bid us farewell at around 5 p.m. And

despite the distance to get to this venue, there were still 125 of SA's

top riders ready to do battle on this fast, fifth gear track.

The 50cc class saw Justin Sangster, the current championship leader, secure himself an even bigger

lead when he won both Motos. However, these wins were hard come by, with Camden McClellan never

far behind and always threatening. Camden claimed a comfortable second overall, with Jonathan Mlini in

third overall. One of the most improved riders in this class was Ethan Coleman and the proof was in his

fourth overall position for the day. After the race at Teza, Justin attended the European Championships

and put on another brilliant performance to come in the top 10! Way to go Justin.

In the 65cc class, the current championship leader Slade Smith had to miss this round due to a serious

injury picked up during a training session. This meant that the doors were wide open for the two local

KZN boys, Cayle Dormehl and Cameron Durow. The only rider that stood in their way was Dalton Venter,

who was lying third on the leader board. Dalton is a all or nothing kind of rider, but this time his no-

holds-barred style resulted in him making several mistakes, which left him in fourth position in the first

Moto. During the second Moto, Dalton managed to keep it on two wheels to finish in second place, and

third overall. The overall winner of the day was Cayle, while his home town buddy Cam clinched second

overall. In fourth position overall was Grant Hutton, but he can look forward to a home town advantage

in the last two rounds, with one in East London and the grand final in Port Elizabeth.

The 85 cc junior class has been an interesting one this year, with the early leader, Justin Thompson,

doing really well at the start of the season, but falling back to finish third overall. Marcus Phelps, who is

just back from competing successfully in the UK, took the overall top podium position after a tough battle

against rising star Janes van Sandwyk, who won the first Moto. Matthew Kruger had a solid performance

to claim fourth overall, and he also took both hole shots.

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In the Pro Mini class it was PS Honda

teammates Dirco van der Westhuizen and

Tristan Purdon who went head to head for top

honours. The first Moto saw them constantly

swopping places, but in the end it was Tristan

who managed to hold on and cross the line

ahead. In the second Moto, Dirco took the lead

after a great start, but Tristan soon closed the

gap, only to give it away after sliding out on a

burn on the second last lap, and with that his

hopes of another win. The overall winner was

Dirco, Tristan in second and in third was Jaydon

Proctor, who did exceptionally well considering

that he is a new comer to the national circuit

and it was his first national event.

The 125cc High School class has been one

of the best races to watch because it’s an open

affair where any one of six riders could win it.

Justin Mittins, who cleaned up in Cape Town,

could only muster up a sixth overall for the day.

The overall win went to Zane Farquharson, who

had just arrived home from several months of

racing in Europe. But Zane didn't have it all

his own way, with Maddy Malan walking away

with a win in the second Moto, despite a bad

crash in practice. Championship leader Jesse

Wright threw away a chance to take the lead

when his back wheel slid out and he shot of the

track and hit a spectator. He still came in third

overall, and enduro star Travis Teasedale took

fourth overall and made it clear that he remains

a force to be reckoned with.

MX 2 riders gave it their all in a bid to win an all-

expenses-paid holiday in Europe or Thailand,

courtesy of Contiki Tours and generously

sponsored by Northside Electrical. Richard

van der Westhuizen was leading up until he

experienced mechanical failure on the last lap,

which left him with only three points for the

first Moto. This opened up the championship

for Kerim Fitz-Gerald, Wyatt Avis and Anthony

Raynard, who were not going to let this

opportunity pass and saw them finishing first,

second and third overall respectively. Grant

Frerichs showed great form and pace to finish

fourth overall for the day.

It was a small field of seasoned rides who

took part in the MX3 class, aka the Veterans

and Masters class, but there was nothing timid

about the racing. It was a battle royale between

Roger Dean Bergstrom and Wayne Smith, who

managed to take each other out in the whoops.

Down but not out, they both still managed to

finish the race in style. Come day's end it was

Wayne who clinched the overall win, with Ian

Topliss in second overall and Roger finishing

third overall. In the Vets class, Ian

Topliss took the top podium

spot overall, followed by

Geoff Den in second overall

and James van Staden, who

has only just returned to MX,

taking third overall.

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Last but not least was the MX1 class, which saw Michael

Kok sporting his new green racing colours as part of the Fast

Wetherd Kawasaki team. Michael won the second Moto of the

day, giving him the excuse to perform his infamous 'sprinkler'

move , and sees him moving up the leader board into second.

Richard van der Westhuizen opened up his points lead by taking

the top slot for the day, while Wyatt Avis put on his best MX1

performance of the session to finish third overall.

This was definitely one of the best nationals I have attended

and it was well worth the travel. Thanks to the sponsors; the

Brodalkas and Colin Sunkel Photography, for their support and

making this event such a success. Round 5 in East London

took place on 11 August and as anticipated, it

was another epic affair. But I tell you more about

that later ...

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