here will be action galore again on Saturday at the Tempe Motocross track on the outskirts of Bloemfontein with it being the fourth round of the Free State/Northern Cape Regional event.
While the weekend’s racing is only the fourth round at the track hailed as the best in South Africa, it will be the penultimate event before the big North vs. South. There is less than a month left before the North vs. South, which, unlike other national championship events, sees the riders actually representing their respective provinces. The North vs. South is one of the two biggest events on the calendar in Bloemfontein each year, with the other being the annual National Championship (which took place in May).
What makes this weekend’s regional so important, is that it was the second last event before the North vs. South and the second last opportunity to prepare for the big event, as it is a congested calendar, with the fifth round of the nationals taking place at Thunder Valley in Pietermaritzburg on 27 July.
Before the North vs. South, there will be a pre-North vs. South the week before, on 3 August, and this is where a lot of the riders from other provinces will dial in before the big event. The multiple Free State champion, Johan Vogelesang, told Bloemfontein Courant that this week is rather important as being able to prepare for a big event on that same track does give one an edge.
“This weekend is round four of the Free State/Northern Cape Regional Championship and this is an awesome opportunity to get some practice in for the big one, the North vs. South,” said Vogelesang.
“It is one of the biggest Motocross events in South Africa, especially with the racing calendar being a bit packed for the next few weekends with nationals and pre-nationals taking place.
“This might be one of the last opportunities you would get to get some preparation in on the track. As always, racing on the track is the best prep that you can get.
“Get those entries in before it closes at midnight on Thursday, and then definitely I would recommend staying over Sunday, get some extra prep in and then we’ll see you guys for the big one in the beginning of August.”
The fourth round will take place on Saturday 13 July, while the North vs. South will be held on 10 August. – MORGAN PIEK
