What SA Cross Country Motorcycle Championship Round 6 Preview
Where Bloemfontein, Free State
When Saturday 9 September 2023
Community South Africa National
Team Red out to add to SA Cross Country successes
Franchise Co Tork Craft Honda Wing Racing heads to the Saturday 9 September’s Bloemfontein Trademore South African Cross Country Motorcycle Championship finale looking to add more 2023 championship trophies to its cabinet while also chasing the big one, the 2023 Manufacturers title.
“Franchise Co Tork Craft Honda Wing Racing finds itself in a strong National Cross Country Championship position across the board,” team boss Harry Grobler explains. “In spite of 2023 being our team’s maiden season, we sit a strong second in the Manufacturer’s championship, we have already won the 85cc class, and we are in the chase for a few other class wins. So the objective is for every team member to finish with the best possible points scores this weekend.”
Looking at the classes, Franchise Co Tork Craft Honda Wing Racing is well represented in open Class OR1, where teammates Mike Pentecost and Gareth Cole’s CRF 450 RXs sit second and fourth in the championship chase, and Pentecost just nine points off that championship lead. They will be joined by Hayden Louw, who returns to OR1 duty after missing the last three rounds to injury, and OR3 graduate John Botha on his national open class debut.
The team also has a strong 250cc OR3 team competing in the Bloemfontein finale. Haydn Cole, Tyron Beverly, and young gun Noah Martens will be out on a trio of Franchise Co Tork Craft Honda CRF 250 RXs. A race winner at the KZN Dalton round earlier in the year, Cole remains in championship contention, just twelve points behind the class leader. Senior riders Louwrens Mahoney and Wynand Delport are meanwhile fighting it out for second and third in that class, and late starter, Kobus Jonk is chasing second in the Masters class.
Franchise Co Tork Craft Racing already has one 2023 Trademore MSA South African Cross Country Motorcycle Championship trophy booked into the cabinet in the form of dominant 85cc lad Murray Smith, while class teammate Liam Scheepers has made a great impression in his campaign so far. The team’s other Junior entry, Johandre Vermaak has also enjoyed a solid season in the competitive 125 cc High School class.
“We have enjoyed a stunning racing season so far and Franchise Co Tork Craft Honda Wing Racing looks forward to finishing off the Trademore MSA South African National Cross Country Motorcycle championship off in style in Bloemfontein this weekend, Harry Grobler concludes. “Bring it home lads!”
*Honda Racing salutes its partners, Tork Craft Tools, The Franchise Co, Sleepover Motels, CIT Accessories, Motul Oils, Mitas, Leatt Protectives, Pollisport, TNT Nutrition, Galfermoto brakes & Nitro Mousse
Issued on behalf of Honda Cross Country
Photography by: Action in Motion
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