| www.motorsport.co.za | 08 September 2010 |
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DCM Yamaha is delighted to confirm their race team for the 2010 National Off Road and Enduro racing season.Multiple South African National Off Road and Enduro Champion, and triple Roof of Africa winner, Louwrens Mahoney, will spearhead the teams efforts in the National Off Road racing series on board the “all new” Yamaha YZ450F, whilst his campaign for the National Enduro title will be on board a Yamaha YZ250 (2T). “I am extremely excited about the upcoming season riding for DCM Yamaha. My new Yamaha YZ450F is just phenomenal and I am really looking forward to riding it to race victory this year. I rode my Yamaha YZ 250 (2T) at last years Roof, and whilst I had to retire from the race through injury, the bike was absolutely fantastic – what a machine! I am ready and highly charged for the season ahead and if everything goes to plan, I will bring the championships home for my sponsors DCM, Yamaha and Full Throttle,” said Mahoney when asked about his new deal with DCM Yamaha. The recent signing of Jade Gutzeit, also a multiple Off Road and Enduro National Champion as well as a past Roof of Africa winner, will significantly enhance the team’s efforts for championship glory. Gutzeit will also campaign the Yamaha YZ450F in pursuit of the National Off Road title honours, whilst the Yamaha YZ250F will be Gutzeit’s weapon of choice for the National Enduro Title. When asked about his rather sudden and late move to the DCM Yamaha squad for 2010, Gutzeit responded: “Ian van der Walt from DCM contacted me some time ago about the possibility of riding for the DCM Yamaha team. I had a two year deal with BMW of which the first year had been completed with some success. Obviously I had to discuss an early release from my contract with them before I could commit to Ian’s very exciting offer. Fortunately I was able to negotiate with my previous team on an amicable level and I thank them for the support and opportunity they provided me during 2009. Now I am back racing a Yamaha and I feel like I have come home. I have raced Yamahas for many years and am very excited about the prospects for 2010. Our ideal is that Louwrens and myself take the top two positions in both the National Off Road and National Enduro championships – of course I want the number one plate so Louwrens is going to have to settle for number two (laughs); but with the all new Yamaha YZ450F I really believe we have the most phenomenal bike – wow it is just awesome! And my new YZ250F is just the perfect machine for the National Enduro’s. I would really like to thank DCM, Yamaha and Full Throttle for the most amazing opportunity to race for championship honours; everything is in place, the best race bikes, best team support, best bike preparation, and I’ve been training hard for the season ahead so we are ready. The only intangible component which plays a big part in racing is luck – but then again, they say you make your own luck!” 18 year old Brad Van Aswegen is the team’s choice for championship glory in the National 125cc Off Road class and 200cc National Enduro class. Brad will ride a Yamaha YZ125 (2T). Brad has won numerous KZN Junior Regional Championships and his step up into the senior ranks has been highly anticipated. Brad has honed his riding skills over the last number of years under the tutelage of fellow Maritzburg resident William Gillitt, also a multiple national and regional champion for Yamaha. The team has high hopes for Brad; his skill on a bike and mental attitude and perseverance are acknowledged as being out of the top drawer which undoubtedly means that he is destined to become a big name in the sport. The DCM Yamaha team’s race bikes will all be expertly prepared by Russell Campbell of Russell Campbell Dirt Bikes. Russell is also a multiple National Motocross Champion and holds his Springbok colours for his chosen sport. His expertise in preparing the DCM Yamaha’s is an integral part of the team’s effort. Russell will also be running the team’s race support program at all the national events in 2010. Ian van der Walt, Team principal and CEO of DCM said:” This is going to be a very exciting year. I have assembled the best riders on the best race equipment with the best support. We have put everything in place to secure championship glory. Now it is up to the boys to bring it home, and I have absolute confidence that they will. Any racing season is a long one, and there are many variables that can potentially derail even the best plan. The ones that we can control we have taken care of; now we need determination and a bit of luck on our side, and that should see us at the end of the season standing on the top step of the podium.” Picture: Louwrens Mahoney, Brad van Aswegen, Jade Gutzeit |
