Honda bags trophies at Legends Park Cross Country Race
Team Franchise Co Sleepover Tork Craft Honda’s members had an eventful first cross-country race recently. Several of them report back.
The first event in the Trademore South African National Cross Country was held at Legends Park on Saturday, March 4.
Michael Pentecost finished fifth overall and second in open class OR1 on the day, with teammates Gareth Cole and Hayden Louw in third and fourth positions in class and overall in the top 10 finishers.
In the senior and master classes, Wynand Delport and Warrick van Schalkwyk added two more silver medals.
“Wow, that was a tough, hard race, so I’m happy to have opened the season with a strong result and a good points haul,” Pentecost said. “My bike was not set up for this extremely tight and rough terrain, so I kept my cool and rode as fast as I could in the conditions. My Franchise Co Sleepover Tork Craft Honda was still tiptop throughout, the pit stops were seamless, and my team was on point all the way.”
“The track was really rough and demanding, and it never quite suited my style, so it was a long day in the saddle and I had to stay focused,” Cole reflected. “I had a slow start with two silly falls early on, so I had to play catch-up. Still, all things considered, I’m happy to salvage third in class and seventh overall. I’m also happy to come away ready to race the next one!”
“That was a decent start!” Louw said. “My great team put a huge effort into this first race as always, but my time trial never went as planned. I started 24th, so I had a lot of work to do. I pushed where I could and paced myself on the harder bits and in the dust, and got into a good rhythm. I’m chuffed with ninth overall and fourth in class, with a long year of racing still ahead of us.”
Franchise Co Sleepover Tork Craft Honda Racing also had a great day with two seconds in the elder classes. “It was very rough and the Legends track was demanding,” Delport reported after a fine second in the senior category. “My team did great and my equipment was better than par on a tough day. I need to work on a few little things before we head out to Jolivet in KwaZulu-Natal for the next national cross-country race. I love racing in KZN!”
Van Schalkwyk doubled up with an epic and close second in the masters. “My shoulder spasmed last week and my chiropractor did what she could,” he said. “My bike was great, and I led early on, but I had to pick it out of a rut and manage the pain after that. Then I felt better on the last lap and passed Pieter Holl, but I collided with my teammate John Botha in the dust near the end. I got up and rode home a surprised and sore second.”
Haydn Cole was happy with a positive start to his season and some decent points in the bag. “That’s a top-five finish in the very competitive OR3 class, so all good!” Haydn confirmed. “I struggled a bit early on but got to grips with a very demanding and rough track as the race progressed. I’m also happy to come away in one piece after a few crashes on the day.”
Tyron Beverley (OR3) had some problems and was forced into the pits to change wheels. “My Franchise Co Sleepover Tork Craft Honda had amazing pace and felt good, but a bit of bad luck cost me some positions,” he said. “No matter, there’s plenty of racing left in this championship and I’m ready for the next one!”
“Legends went well despite me making a bit of a dodgy start,” Noah Maartens said. “It went better as the race progressed and I was happy with my fitness, while my bike ran like a beast from start to finish. I’m really keen for the rest of the season, so a huge thanks to Uncle Harry Grobler and the Franchise Co Sleepover Tork Craft Honda team for making it all possible.”
“My first national of the year turned out to be a super rough day,” Botha admitted. “I struggled with my setup and I really can’t say much about it, but that’s racing, so onwards and upwards! Big thanks to my Franchise Co Sleepover Tork Craft Honda team, Uncle Harry and my family for all the support. I will be back and ready for the next one!”
In the junior classes, team Franchise Co Sleepover Tork Craft Racing’s Murray Smith took National 85cc honours with Jaden Els sixth and Liam Scheepers seventh, while Johandré Vermaak came home 13th in the hugely competitive 125cc high school class.
“All in all, that was a rough, tough and difficult season opener,” Franchise Co Sleepover Tork Craft Honda Racing’s team boss, Harry Grobler, said. “We had a great start to our national racing year and it’s just going to get better and better from here!”
Source: MotorsportMedia / Photos: Action in Motion
