Malcolm Kock has been elected as Chairman of the Off Road North series for the next three years. Kock succeeds veteran organiser Adri Roets and the committee, made up of the organising clubs, extended its thanks to Mr Roets for his contribution to governance of the series.
Kock’s election represents an important step in leadership continuity as the series continues to build on its strong foundation. The organising clubs remain committed to ensuring that Off Road North continues to rank as South Africa’s leading off road car racing series providing an inclusive platform for competitors by integrating all off road car racing categories and classes in one competitive series.
Kock brings an extensive knowledge of the sport to his new role together with his personal commitment to further develop off road car racing in South Africa. He has competed in the sport at both national and regional levels and brings his unique perspective as a competitor to his new portfolio. He is also fully versed in organising events having served as Chairman and event organiser of the Vryburg Motor Club in the past.
Building on a legacy
Kock draws on a strong family history of service to the sport as his late father was a founding member of the Vryburg Motor Club and a leading light in bringing events to the Vryburg area including the Toyota 1000 Desert Race, Vryburg 500 and many more, Kock continues the family tradition both as competitor and organiser.
Professionally Kock is well-known as director of Andre Kock & Sons with deep seated roots in the platteland communities where most Off Road North events take place. In addition, he has served as Chairman of the SGB of the school in Stella and is well versed in the challenges that face organisations in smaller regional communities and how to successfully overcome them.
Accepting his appointment Kock paid tribute to the leaders who have gone before him stating “Off Road North is one of South African motorsport’s heritage series with a history dating back over 50 years”. Describing his role as one of stewardship Kock said, “leadership is never about position, it is about service to our community. Our responsibility is to serve the unique sport with humility always placing the interests of competitors and the communities where we race ahead of our own”.
Securing the future
Looking ahead Kock stated that the incoming Committee’s immediate priorities will focus on strengthening competitor participation, building closer bonds with the communities who serve as hosts for the series and laying a secure foundation for the sport for generations to come.
“Long term sustainability for Off Road North depends on competitor support by way of entries together with the generosity of sponsors, host communities and business in those communities who support events. Growing the sponsorship base for the sport and maintaining high standards for events is the Committee’s highest priority. These are investments that will safeguard one of South African motorsport’s greatest treasures.”
The Series offers a unique participation proposition extending beyond the events staged annually. Series events provide an injection of income into the smaller regional communities that play host to the series through increasing demand for accommodation and driving fuel and retail sales in host towns.
Off Road North events are often annual highlights in a community’s calendar as well as providing community organisations such as schools and churches a fundraising opportunity through catering opportunities.
Calling on the wider off road car racing and rally raid community to unite behind the series Kock added “Every competitor, sponsor, organising club and community has a role to play in securing the future of regional off road car racing. Together we can ensure that future generations continue to benefit from a competitive series that offers them cost-effective participation whilst benefitting the communities where events are staged.”
Kock closed by saying, “Our objective must be to continue to provide a platform for competitors at all levels whilst benefitting the communities who host our events. If we focus on this and remain committed to organising events to the highest standards possible the series will continue to grow from strength to strength”.
About Off Road North
Off Road North is an MSA-sanctioned off road car racing championship series open to four vehicle categories with six events staged annually. One of the events is a marathon, two-day, event with double points up for grabs.
The vehicle categories are:
* Special Vehicle Category for Class A, P and B vehicles
* Production Vehicle Category for Class T, S, D, E and F vehicles.
* FIA Vehicle Category open to any FIA Cross Country Rally vehicles
* Lightweight Vehicle Category open to two-seater side-by-side vehicles fitted with roll cages and appropriate safety equipment.
What sets us apart?
* Compact format with all activities held over one-day with the exception of the annual marathon two-day event. This means less time away from your work or business.
* 15 – 30km Qualifying session held early on race morning to determine the start order for the main race.
* 2 or 3 Laps providing a total race distance between 250 – 300km (500km for the marathon event).
* Prize giving with a dinner served by the local community at all events ensuring that the local community benefit from the event.
* Camping at the DSP is the norm so be sure to bring your whole family to enjoy the event.
* Host communities benefit from the event by way of food sales and prize giving bar service and competitors are encouraged to support host communities by attending prize giving.
* Host communities benefit from bed nights at local guest houses, fuel sales and convenience store sales.
Event Format
* Rally Navigator roadbooks run to international standards.
* GPS track
* Live tracking and timing at all series events
* Standardised entry fees and club membership fees across the series.
* Competitive events with a fun, family-oriented spirit.
Published by: Bella Geldenhuis
Picture Caption: North West businessman, Malcolm Kock, elected as Chairman of the Off Road North series
Photography by: Dries Beetge
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