Kawasaki Racing came home with a considerable amount of silverware following a successful penultimate seventh-round GXCC Gauteng Cross Country Championship race at Middelburg’s Dirt Trax on Saturday.
South African National OR1 Cross Country champion Mike Pentecost continued his domination of the local series, riding his Franchise Co. Tork Craft Kawasaki KX 450 X home to yet another emphatic victory. Jaycee Nienaber backed Pentecost’s OR1 win up with a fine third in class and fourth overall on his Pepson Plastics Scottish Cables Motul Kawasaki KX 450 X.
Newly crowned SA champion, Cross country Senior class King Kenny Gilbert added to Kawasaki’s Middelburg golden thread with yet another comfortable class win on his Pepson Plastics Scottish Cables Motul Kawasaki KX 450 X. Gilbert has been pretty much unbeaten in Senior class Cross Country racing throughout 2022.
John Botha served notice of things to come with his best result of the season in second in 250cc OR3 class aboard his Franchise Co. Tork Craft Kawasaki KX 250 X. Botha came home seconds ahead of the ever-consistent Taki Bogiages’ Pepson Plastics Scottish Cables Motul version, while his teammate, Matthew Hills had a good run to sixth in OR3 on debut.
It was also a good day for Franchise Co. Tork Craft Kawasaki juniors. Jaden Els who raced home third in 85cc Juniors, and Johandré Vermaak ended 8th in 85cc Open. SA champion Wian Wentzel took second in High School 125s.
“Our Men in green faced difficult and dusty conditions on a tricky and varied route in Middelburg, but the lads shone as always,” Franchise Co. Tork Craft Kawasaki team boss Harry Grobler wrapped it up.
“Well done to our riders and team members one and all,” Pepson Plastics Scottish Cables Motul counterpart Iain Pepper concluded. “We have one GXCC round left to race in November, where we look forward to wrapping it up in style. “Bring it on!”