Lepokole Hills host first motorcycle challenge

Koketso Kgoboge | Friday February 23, 2018 15:10

 

The Botswana Motor Sport (BMS) sanctioned enduro challenge is organised by Muddy Face events. The three-day event runs from Friday to Sunday.

Over 20 local riders from quad riders’ class, two wheelers and the junior riders from across the country are expected to take part in the challenge. The event is open to all riders in the country.

Two South African champions Louw Schmidt and Louwrens Mahoney will participate at the event.

Schmidt, who has seven years of riding and many accolades under his belt is the four times South African National Off Road champion and in 2016, was rewarded with the National Protea Colours.

Mahoney is Schmidt's teammate at the KTM Off-Road team of South Africa.

He has won three South African Enduro National Championships and three South African off Road National Championships amongst others.

According to Lola Berrie of Muddy Face Events, the two experienced South Africans are included to pass knowledge of the endurance challenge to the local riders.

She said both Schmidt and Mahoney will also conduct a free training on enduro racing at the event on Saturday.

Berrie said the aim of the event is to offer local riders exposure into diverge forms of motorcycle racing as well as grow motorcyle racing events in order to create more hype in the racing sport in the country.

“We wish to have as many Riders as we can get because this is a different dose of riding that Botswana does not have,” she said.

“We have included junior riders for development purposes in enduro racing. This may turn out to be more exciting for different riders who might want to pursue it and new skills from the experienced visitors may come handy in future for our riders.”

Berrie said although they are still piloting the enduro racing, the plan is to grow the event into an annual showpiece that would be included in the national calendar and hopefully in the international calendar as well.

She said through the event they also want to incorporate the supporters and families into racing teams and kill the notion of individuality in the sport.

“Racing has been known to be and individual sport particularly here in our country, but through this event we are trying to bring families on board. We want to create excitement for them at the same time showing them their roles in racing so in future they will walk the steps with the riders.”

Hence the event is not just about biking, she said, but rather a family adventure.

Amongst other things at the weekend event, Berrie said there will be enduro-cross shows, rock art walks, rock climbing for children and live music.

The event is sponsored by Skip Hire, Herbalife and Botswana Tourism Organisation.