Branch geared for final round
Koketso Kgoboge | Thursday October 13, 2016 14:51
Branch, who competes in the premium MX1 class, holds a six points advantage with 60 points ahead of second placed Luke Wheelar of Zimbabwe on 54 points.
Besides Branch, seven-year-old Nathan Berrie is the only other local competing in the SAC. Nathan holds a 25 points advantage over Zimbabwe’s Jordan Dewdney on the MX50 class.
The four round championships started in Zambia, second round in South Africa and the third round was held in Zimbabwe. Berrie competed in all races, while Branch competed only in Zambia.
Branch, who is looking to add a sixth title to his belt, said he is excited that the final race has come to his home turf. He said his bike is well oiled and he is ready for the weekend.
“My preparations have gone well. I am ready and my bike is ready,” he said. “It’s going to be a special race; it is exciting to wrap up the season here at home. I am all positive. The crowd here is very supportive and I am looking forward to the weekend,” he said.
On the day, the FIM African South African Challenge will be combined with the fourth round of the Botswana Motorsports National Motocross Championship. The local championship is not short of thrill with local riders head to heals in respective classes with two races to the end of the season.
A spectacle is expected between Tristan Berrie and Deegan Davis in the PW50 class, with the former three points better. In the MX50 brothers Amaan and Aryan Parekh are chasing closely on the tail of Berrie (Nathan).
Kosmas Mamaloukos marginally leads the MX85 ahead of Brandon Rouse, Ayush Hegde and James Kleynhans. The MX125 class is challenged with Brady Armstrong and Boineelo Rantao.
Eyes will be on the MX2 with Clayton Davis in pole position ahead of Wade Swanepoel. In the veterans and masters class, a close contest beckons between Ken Pieterse, Allan Ryan and the Collingtons, Calvin and Jason.
Meanwhile, Lobelo Racing Club vice chairperson, Lola Berrie said hosting SAC is going to be the highlight of the year for their club and as thus they have outdone themselves in preparing for the weekend showdown.
“We have up-graded our track to accommodate the event and international riders coming to race here and we have added new sections and we have also extended the spectators jumps as well as widened the whole circuit, and we are anticipating a great show,” she said.