The 2024 North vs. South MotoX challenge will be taking place in Bloemfontein this weekend and it will be a hive of activity at the Tempe MotoX track. The country’s best riders will assemble on the outskirts of Bloemfontein for what is not only one of the biggest events in South Africa, but in Africa.
Riders will be representing their respective provinces in all classes from the juniors on the 50cc bikes right up to the masters, and this is what makes the North vs. South such an unique event. For the Free State it is one of their biggest events each year and it generates more excitement than the nationals.
The former South African champion Tyson Engelbrecht told Bloemfontein Courant the Free State stands a good chance to finish in the top three again.
“We’re really proud to host this event every year, it is one of the biggest races in Africa, said Engelbrecht.
“We bring people from all over South Africa and even a few international guys will make an appearance as well. I’m quite chuffed with the boys and girls this year – they’ve been putting in the work and I think they are better than ever. I think the Free State stands a really good chance of putting in a solid performance again.”
Engelbrecht added that the event allows more riders to compete in a sport that is suffering due to the economic climate.
“It gives more of the riders that don’t do the national championships a chance to compete on a bigger stage. We generally have about 250 to 300 riders every year, compared to a national race which gets between 120 to 130 riders. Although they are racing at a higher level, the numbers are just not there at the moment.
“The sport is suffering a little bit with things like inflation as bikes and everything else is getting more expensive. But we’ve got a bunch of dedicated boys and girls as well as families.
“It’s actually a family sport, more than anything, because whole families are vested. They are sticking it through to make sure that the sport stays alive and BORC as a club stays alive as well.”
The North vs. South Challenge at Tempe will take place on Saturday. – MORGAN PIEK
