What GXCC Cross Country Race Report
Where Delmas, Mpumalanga
When Saturday 22 July 2023
Community South Africa National
Hondas on top in Delmas Gauteng Cross Country regional
The Red Rockets enjoyed a golden weekend at the Delmas GXCC Gauteng Cross Country races on Saturday with a double victory and a strong podium and points haul on Saturday. Franchise Co Tork Craft Honda Wing Racing riders Louwrens Mahoney and Murray Smith won their classes, while Cobus Jonk and Liam Scheepers both went silver.
“Franchise Co Tork Craft Honda Wing Racing enjoyed a great outing in the Delmas GXCC round over the weekend,” team boss Harry Grobler explained. “Congratulations to Louwrens and Murray on their class wins, and to Cobus and Liam on their class wins and well done to the rest of our riders who scored over the weekend.
Comeback king Louwrens Mahoney stormed to Seniors’ class victory in a competitive eleventh overall aboard his Franchise Co Tork Craft Honda CRF 450 RX. Multiple South African champion Mahoney returned to the Masters class saddle midseason and he has been gaining pace consistently, culminating in a dominant victory on Saturday.
At the other end of the Franchise Co Tork Craft age spectrum, Junior hero Murray Smith meanwhile continued his imperious form with yet another 85cc Senior class win. Smith has been almost unbeatable in his class in 2023 and was once again in top form on the muddy plains of chilly Delmas on Saturday
Gold was not the only Team Red medal colour on Saturday as Cobus Jonk and Liam Scheepers scored silver. Old man Jonk did Franchise Co Tork Craft Honda Wing Racing proud as he powered home second in Masters, while young Scheepers brought the silver home with second in 85cc Juniors.
Other Franchise Co Tork Craft Honda Wing Racing team riders to shine included John Botha eighth overall and fourth in OR1 on his 450 cc open class debut on his new CRF 450 RX, while Cobus Bester ended tenth overall and fifth in OR3 on his CRF 250 RX. He ended two positions clear of teammate Tyron Beverley, who was sixth in OR3 on a similar machine.
“Franchise Co Tork Craft Honda Wing Racing flew the flag high in Delmas so congratulations to everyone who helped make that happen,” Harry Grobler concluded. There’s a break before the Trademore National Cross Country Final in Mpumalanga on 9 September, before two more GXCC rounds, starting with Rustenburg in October.
Issued on behalf of Honda Cross Country
Photography by: Action in Motion
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