Budding enduro racer eager to compete in new league
“When I first joined the league I was nervous and did not know what to expect.”
The year 2017 marks the debut of Edenvale endurance motorcycle rider Miguel Da Silva in the regional and national racing league.
The Grade 11 Edenvale High School learner has been racing motorcycles for the past five years.
“I am extremely proud of my son. Motorsports is in our family’s blood and him making this achievement is something special,” said his father, Mr Mario Da Silva.
Mario said the whole family enjoys the sport and attends race days together.
Before becoming involved in endurance racing Miguel used to race go-karts and four-wheelers.
Miguel’s passion for enduro riding developed when he was 12.
He said his older brother, Zack, encouraged him to sell his quad bikes and join him in racing motorbikes.
“It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, but I followed the advice of my brother and fell in love with the sport,” said Miguel.
“Miguel has been through the ranks of racing. He has done the high school, club and has now joined the regional league,” said Mario.
Mario said his son finished in third place in his division at the Enduro Championship of 2016.
After joining the new league at the start of the year, Miguel signed with Pestol Plastics, which Mario says is a well-established team.
“When I first joined the league I was nervous and did not know what to expect,” said Miguel.
In the senior league Miguel will compete against his brother, the same person he formerly looked up to. “I am very nervous to compete against my older brother. I did learn a lot from him but I will have to learn how to keep up with his experience,” said Miguel.
“Miguel has a big test ahead of him this year,” said Mario.
When Miguel is not on the track racing his bike, he enjoys relaxing and staying in shape for the sport by running and going to the gym.
Looking to his future, Miguel said he hopes to get more involved in the extreme side of motorcycle racing.
One event which the endurance racer believes could start his journey to the future is the Roof of Africa event, which will take place at the end of the year.
