The fifth round of the 2019 TRP Distributors South African National Motocross Championship went down at the PMB MX Club in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal, with the title chases tightening up as the season winds down toward an epic culmination.
In the MX1 class small mistakes by Maddy Malan saw him get two podiums but no wins, and his 2-3 finish saw him take 3rd for the day. Lloyd Vercueil went 3-2 for 2nd place, while Tristan Purdon was a man on a mission taking both heat wins for the overall. David Goosen finished in 4th with a 4-4 finish, while Wesley du Plooy, Dylan Mostert and Marco de Vrye fought it out behind.
Tristan Purdon
It was gripping action in the MX2 class with Joshua Mlimi and Anthony Raynard mixed in a close battle in both heats. Mlimi got the upper hand in both heats to finish in 2nd, leaving Raynard to settle for 3rd. An on form Kerim Fitz-Gerald took both heat wins for the overall. Slade Smith and Jesse Wright both showed promise again on the day, but were just unable to get onto the podium.
Kerim Fitz-Gerald
In MX3, Tyson Engelbrecht took the win in the over-30 division with Johnathan Hubbard finishing in 2nd and Roger Bergstrom in 3rd. Ian Topliss and Brett Bircher shared the over-40 wins with Topliss grabbing the overall, and Craig Kruger finishing in 3rd. Rodney Odendaal beat Rod Bergstrom to the over-50 honours.
Ian Topliss
Kayla Raaff remained unbeaten in Ladies class, in now 10 starts so far this season, beating Natasha Rugani to both moto wins. Jadene de Lima came out of a tight battle with Megan Jonker and Tiegan Reed to take 3rd.
Kayla Raaff
In the 125 Highschool action, Dalton Venter continued his domination with another double victory, leading a now up to speed Miguel de Waal who went 2-2 for 2nd. Arnu Saaiman rounded off the podium in 3rd.
Dalton Venter
Blake Young took the opening 85cc Pro Mini race from Leonard du Toit, Bryce Petersen, Luke Grundy and Lucca Mynhardt, but there was drama for Young in race 2 as he hit trouble leaving Du Toit to win from Petersen, Grundy, Mynhardt, and Hayden Tully.
Leonard du Toit
Emmanuel Bako made no mistakes in 85cc Junior as he stormed to a double win over Seth Young, Timo Maximo Toepfer and Deegan Bloomfield each heat.
Emmanuel Bako
In the 65cc class Jordan Van Wyk and Trey Cox put one over championship leader Neil van der Vyver.
Jordan Van Wyk
In the 50cc class Jake van Schoor went 4-1 for the win, while Ethan Williamson finished in 2nd with a 2-2 finish, and Logan Van Vuuren finishing in 3rd overall. Brody Bircher won the first heat but troubles in heat 2 saw him finish in 8th for the day.
2019 SA Motocross Nationals Maritzburg Results
MX1
1st Tristan Purdon
2nd Lloyd Vercueil
3rd Maddy Malan
4th David Goosen
5th Wesley du Plooy
MX1
1st Kerim Fitz-Gerald
2nd Josh Mlimi
3rd Anthony Raynard
4th Slade Smith
5th Jesse Write
Ladies
1st Kayla Raaff
2nd Natasha Rugani
3rd Jadene de Lima
125cc Highschool
1st Dalton Venter
2nd Miguel de Waal
3rd Arnu Saaiman
85cc Pro Mini
1st Leonard du Toit
2nd Bryce Petersen
3rd Luke Grundy
85cc Juniors
1st Emmanuel Bako
2nd Seth Young
3rd Timo Maximo Toepfer
65cc
1st Jordan Van Wyk
2nd Trey Cox
3rd Neil van der Vyver
50cc
1st Jake van Schoor
2nd Ethan Williamson
3rd Logan Van Vuuren
Photos by Ruben Louw Photography.