Smith, Botha and Barwise Shine at Ridgeway
Race report & photos by Deon vdl Photography
Round 5 of the Inland MX Championship rolled into Ridgeway MX Park, where another day of motocross delivered everything from nail-biting battles to dominant performances. Across the classes, spectators were treated to bar-to-bar racing, dramatic comebacks and plenty of action that kept the crowd glued to the fences.
MX50cc Junior & Senior.
Junior.
The MX50cc Junior class saw lone youngster #59 James Gibson continue his steady progression, gaining valuable race experience and showing improvement every time he lines up behind the gate.
Overall Results.
1st #59 James Gibson
Senior.
In the MX50cc Senior class, #11 Gianno Ferreira was untouchable, taking victory in both heats ahead of #18 Garry Hamer, while #112 Logan Fulton completed the podium with another consistent day of riding.
Overall Results.
1st #11 Gianno Ferreira
2nd #18 Garry Hamer
3rd #112 Logan Fulton
MX85cc Junior & Pro.
Junior.
The MX85cc Junior category belonged to #204 Luke Schlorke, who controlled both heats from the front. #199 Nicky Kasser kept him honest throughout the day to secure second overall, with #202 Blake Eckmann rounding out the podium.
Overall Results.
1st #204 Luke Schlorke
2nd #199 Nicky Kasser
3rd #202 Blake Eckmann
Pro.
The MX85cc Pro riders turned up the pace, with #40 Henrico Barwise taking a convincing double heat win. Behind him, #19 Tommy Wotherspoon and #246 Ryan Boggett swapped positions during the day, with Boggett’s consistency earning him second overall ahead of Wotherspoon.
Overall Results.
1st #40 Henrico Barwise
2nd #246 Ryan Boggett
3rd #19 Tommy Wotherspoon
MX1.
MX1 once again showcased why it is the premier class. #737 Slade Smith was in a class of his own, sweeping both heats. #94 Deegan Bloomfield rode solidly for second overall, while #136 Mark Anthony Filip completed the podium after two consistent rides.
Overall Results.
1st #737 Slade Smith
2nd #94 Deegan Bloomfield
3rd #136 Mark Anthony Filip
MX125cc.
If there was an award for race of the day, the MX125cc class would be right up there. #555 Maxwell Fourie and #63 Lleyton Botha traded paint in two thrilling heats, refusing to give each other an inch. Fourie claimed the opening race, but Botha struck back in Heat 2 after another epic duel that only came to an end when Fourie’s seat worked loose. Their combined results handed Botha the overall victory, with Fourie second and #91 Connor Schlebuch finishing third overall.
Overall Results.
1st #63 Lleyton Botha
2nd #555 Maxwell Fourie
3rd #91 Connor Schlebuch
MX4 Ladies.
The MX4 Ladies class produced one of the day’s standout moments. #128 Zoe Botha crashed on the opening lap of Heat 2 but refused to throw in the towel. She remounted, charged through the field and, in a determined last-lap effort, snatched victory from #422 Kirsten Santillan. Together with her Heat 1 win, Botha claimed the overall ahead of Santillan, while #17 Misha Beukes completed the podium.
Overall Results.
1st #128 Zoe Botha
2nd #422 Kirsten Santillan
3rd #17 Misha Beukes
MX3 Masters, Grand Masters & Support.
Masters.
The Masters class served up another brilliant battle between #28 Callan Theron and #50 Nicolaas van der Linden. Theron looked set to take Heat 1 before Van der Linden found a way through in the closing stages. Theron responded by winning Heat 2, giving him enough points to secure the overall ahead of Van der Linden, with #245 Gareth Keith third.
Overall Results.
1st #28 Callan Theron
2nd #50 Nicolaas van der Linden
3rd #245 Gareth Keith
Grand Masters.
In the Grand Masters, #7 Gary Killian completed a perfect day with two race wins over #19 Darrell Lehman, while #24 Steven Beegte rounded out the top three.
Overall Results.
1st #7 Gary Killian
2nd #19 Darrell Lehman
3rd #24 Steven Beegte
Support.
The Support class had a twist. Although #103 Jordan Ramsden and #10 Cameron Fenton each claimed heat victories, neither rider was eligible to score championship points. That allowed #128 Jordan Moore to take the overall ahead of #222 Mario Bezuidenhout, with the remaining points positions decided by the official Support class competitors.
Overall Results.
1st #128 Jordan Moore
2nd #222 Mario Bezuidenhout
MX65cc.
The MX65cc youngsters continued to impress, with #104 Richard Smith taking a clean sweep of both heats ahead of #20 Luan Jordaan, while #88 Reestin Bartlett claimed third overall.
Overall Results.
1st #104 Richard Smith
2nd #20 Luan Jordaan
3rd #88 Reestin Bartlett
MX2 & Vets.
MX2.
The MX2 class produced another entertaining contest. #423 Ashton Martin won the opening heat, but #200 Matthew Correia responded perfectly in Heat 2 to secure the overall victory. #418 Cruz Martin rode consistently to finish third overall.
Overall Results.
1st #200 Matthew Correia
2nd #423 Ashton Martin
3rd #418 Cruz Martin
Vets.
In the Vets class, experience once again proved its worth as #717 Wayne Meyer claimed maximum points with two composed race wins. #977 Stefan von Benecke finished second overall, while #38 Ryan Mileham completed the podium.
Overall Results.
1st #717 Wayne Meyer
2nd #977 Stefan von Benecke
3rd #38 Ryan Mileham
With Round 5 in the books, the Inland MX Championship now turns its attention to Round 6, which heads to Dirt Bronco on 29 August. If Ridgeway was anything to go by, another action-packed day of motocross awaits.
