Smith fights back to clinch national title
Talented motocross rider Slade Smith (14) has had a sterling year on his bike.
The cherry on the top of his achievement list is being confirmed as the 2015 Motorsport South Africa (MSA) National Motocross Pro Mini Champion, following the seventh and final ride of the championship on Saturday, October 31, at the Smoking Pistons Raceway, in Alberton.
He showed sheer mettle and bold determination to win both his heats in fine style, to claim the championship, which has been a long and hard-fought battle for the young Rynfield resident.
His misfortunes arose due to mechanical issues in rounds one, two and three, earlier in the year, which left him somewhat behind in the points standings.
Like a true champion, he fought back hard and found himself just three points behind heading into the final round.
What had initially seemed like an unlikely chance of a comeback turned right around and became golden for the son of South African motocross legend Wayne Smith.
After winning heat one, Slade equalled the championship points and needed to be just one point ahead of his arch rival in the second heat of the day to take the accolades.
He did this in true style and won the final heat by a hefty margin.
Riding his 85cc ABE Midas Husqvarna, the young champion will be moving up to the 125cc High School Class in 2016, with the same team.
He is also hoping to campaign at the Mini O’s event in Florida, USA, later this year, as he did last year, when he had phenomenal results.
Slade also finished as the MSA Regional Pro Mini Champion this year and finished in a credible third position in the MSA Regional 125cc High School Class, against opponents much older than himself.
He is striving to surpass his father’s record of 19 national motocross championships, three national supermoto championships and nine national supercross titles.
