Baragwanath boasts off-road champion title
Team Rhide South Africa's off-road quad racer, Brian Baragwanath, has become the first quad bike rider in the past decade to win all rounds of a modern South African national off-road series
POLOKWANE – Team Rhide South Africa’s off-road quad racer, Brian Baragwanath, has become the first quad bike rider in the past decade to win all rounds of a modern South African national off-road series, which was held in various provinces this year.
The victories won him the overall quad category and claimed the Q1 class championships title.
It was the eighth time Baragwanath finished first on the overall podium of the national off-road quad series since 2006.
This is Baragwanath’s second national off-road title as he has won the overall standings and class championships in 2008.
Team Rhide SA was formed at the beginning of the season to tackle the 2015 Dakar Rally and to compete in this South American event in January to promote awareness on rhino poaching.
Unfortunately, only two members, Baragwanath and Hannes Saaijman will participate in the rally.
Baragwanath won his entry by winning the Dakar challenge earlier this year in Botswana during the desert race, while Saaijman’s entry was accepted a few weeks later.
Ted Barbier’s entry was declined due to a lack of racing experience, according to the ASO race organisers, while the motorcycle rider, Ruan Roberts, has temporarily stopped racing due to work commitments.
Three Rhide SA’s quad members have accumulated a total of five podium positions and three titles at the end of the 2014 national off-road quad season.
Baragwanath has claimed two podium results being the overall winner and Q1 champion, while Saaijman has won the Q2 class and finished third on the overall standings for the year.
Barbier previously competed in the master class for riders older than 46 years, but participated in the senior class this year where riders had to complete the full race distance such as the Q1 and Q2 at each event. He posted consistent results and rounded the senior class championship podium off by finishing third. Baragwanath and Saaijman are currently preparing for the 2015 Dakar Rally to take place in South America from January 5 to 20.
