Ryan Hunt keeps the South African flag flying high and proud as he prepares to achieve four decades of South African national titles.
At the not so tender age of 46, Hunt has maintained a winning streak in the motocross arena.
The Lanseria resident’s most recent win was at the MX3 SA National Motocross Series at Thunder Valley in KwaZulu-Natal, where he won MX3 Class Overall in round five. This achievement placed him four points ahead of Ian Topliss in the overall MX3 championship standings.
With this title, Hunt has put himself in the running to be the first ever South African rider to achieve four decades of South African national titles.
Among his many wins over the years, Hunt is a Springbok, a Protea award winner and an International MX GP rider. His clear love for the sport sets him apart as he continues to strive for greatness despite his age. Hunt explained that there is quite a range of riders from young to old, five to 65-year-olds in some cases, and in most cases, the whole family gets involved at the tracks on weekends. There is even a competitive women’s class.
His next two major international events are coming up soon. Firstly, the Vets MXdN 2016 (Motocross des Nations) in the UK. He is racing as part of the Triton Power Tools/Global ASP South Africa.The second event takes place at Farleigh Castle in the United Kingdom for all international veteran riders who can only enter on and ride pre-1989 motorcycles.
Although Hunt has a busy schedule planned, he said, “The two international events don’t clash with my local SA MX3 events, I just need to stay in one piece and avoid any injuries or mishaps.”
When asked whether his age affected his performances, he said, “I like to think of it this way: You don’t stop riding because you get old. You get old because you stop riding.” He added that there are more events and tracks out in the world he would like to race.
November will see Hunt competing in the SA team in the USA Californian World Vets event at the famous Glen Helen track in California.
During his down time Hunt chooses to spend time with his family. “At this stage [of my career], I am out to enjoy my riding and racing and would like to pass down some of my skills to my son Reece who is nine and has been riding for a year now.”
