In 1997 the WMCC turned 25. There would have been many reasons to celebrate and there were people who should have received awards. The club had dedicated sponsors, like for example the Namibian Breweries. Discussions took place, this here chronicle was born and ... nothing happened.

Construction work on Gallina was still in full swing and so the season came to a close without the anticipated celebration. However, one honouring took place: Bernd Kroemer initiated the nomination of the commentator’s tower to Erhard Pajewski tower. A late tribute to the man who made Namibian MX sport popular.

During the 25. anniversary year, Ingo Waldschmidt returned from Germany, while Mike Swanepoel took another break. Ingo won the “Namib Precast Industries-Series” early on in the season and during the Nationals spectators could witness a serious duel between Ingo and Uwe Trümper. With a 5-points headstart Uwe went into the final race and once again lost the championship in the Open-Class. Ingo managed the impossible and won the championship title. 2nd Uwe Trümper, 3rd Andi Pajewski. Also worth mentioning from 1997 is Ingo’s excellent 6th place at the “Roof of Africa” in Lesotho.

For years Kroemer tried to pursuade the Club to host a major international race in Namibia (just like he is talking about a floodlight-race. Maybe someday!), having found an open ear at Shell Namibia and the Namibian Breweries. The financial side was secured and so Kroemer engaged the well-known Becker-Kawasaki-Team situated close to his hometown Zweibrücken in Germany, and also a team from Austria. In the meantime chairman Eckhard Waldschmidt used his connections and engaged top riders from South Africa. This first “Inter-Series” 1997 was a major achievement in terms of teamwork, organisation and logistics. (Eckhard teared his hair more than once!) Here the commitment by the de Kock family must find special mentioning. They organised bikes from Elna-Kawasaki/South Africa for the Becker-Team.

The races consisted mainly of battles between the South African Freddie Fourie, Namibian Ingo Waldschmidt, and the German top riders Markus Volz and Andi Stäbler. Kawasaki-rider Volz won the individual assessment and together with his team colleagues Stäbler and Gerlach the national rating “Namibia Trophy of Nations”, ahead of Trümper/I.Waldschmidt/ N. Pajewski in 2nd place and Burdon/Pienaar/Den (South Africa) in 3rd place. Austria ranked 4th with Maurer/Korak/Marktl.

The 1998 season was launched with an honouring: Rainer Fromke was nominated as first honorary member of the WMCC. Whenever help was needed, be it financially, non-materially, or in the form of products by his company Namib Precast Industries, Rainer was on the spot.

1998 started off again with the Namib Precast Industries Series which newcomer Rainer Becker won. During these nationals an exciting battle of four emerged between Swanepoel, I. Waldschmidt, Becker and Trümper. The championship title in the Open-Class went to Becker, Ingo Waldschmidt landed on 2nd, and Mike Swanepoel on 3rd position.

PRO Kroemer used his connections to the Becker-Team in Germany and enabled Ingo Waldschmidt and Rainer Becker the participation in two MSR-championship races in Germany. In Lenzkirch Waldschmidt finished 4th, ahead of Becker and a week later during the race in Fischbach/Palatinate Ingo ranked overall 4th (despite hospitalisation between the races) and Rainer Becker became overall champion. Lutz Gerlach was mightily proud of his protégés from Namibia.

On the 20th of September 1998 the official Namibian “Trophy of Nations”-team, whose 1-year long preparations resulted in a dissapointment because the NMSF had failed to pay membership to the FIM, and therefore the Namibian team was excluded, the team took part in the Inter-DM race in Bauschenheim in Germany to make up for it. Part of the team flying to Germany were Rainer Becker, Nicki Pajewski, Michael Swanepoel, Uwe Trümper, Ingo Waldschmidt, as well as the persons in charge Fakkie Gous and Bernd Kroemer. The Namibians competed pretty heartily with the best in the world in a literal mudbath. Unfortunately none of our riders was able to qualify.

A week later, they participated in a Southern German Championship race in Frankenbach. All riders demonstrated their great skill. While Rainer Becker finishexd 2nd in the 250cc Class, Michael Swanepoel was the overall winner in the 125cc Class. This trip to Germany was the preliminary highlight in the careers of these riders.

One will never forget the support by Lutz Gerlach (team manager of the Becker-Team) who provided the Namibian riders with four brand new Kawasaki KX 250 as well as the required infrastructure like transporter, lodgings etc.

Four weeks later the Inter-Series were hosted at Gallina. Again, Shell Namibia and the Namibian Breweries/Pepsi acted as sponsors. Among the foreign stars were Ryan Hunt, as well as Freddie Fourie from South Africa, Markus Volz from Germany, Albin Maurer from Austria. From Namibia Rainer Becker and Ingo Waldschmidt must be mentioned. German star Markus Volz was the overall champion. The first place in the “Namibia Trophy of Nations” went to South Africa: Freddie Fourie/Gareth Swanepoel/Terence Monk. In 2nd place was Namibia with Rainer Becker/Ingo Waldschmidt/Michael Swanepoel. In 3rd place Germany with Markus Volz/Helmut Schiller/Joachim Krivograd.

1999 turned out to be a battle between Michael Swanepoel, Rainer Becker and Nicki Pajewski. Ingo Waldschmidt missed a couple of races due to a bad car accident. Champion in the Open-Class was Michael Swanepoel who hence became one of the most successful MX riders in Namibia of all time. Hentie Hanekom (Upington) finished 2nd , ahead of Ronnie Adams.

In the same year Ingo Waldschmidt achieved an excellent 5th place at the “Roof of Africa” in the class up to 200cc and finished overall 13th. Eckhard Waldschmidt’s performance was noteworthy as well, he ranked 36th.

Kroemer engaged the Danes Kent and Jacob Almar for the “Inter Series” 1999. They were joined by the Becker-Team who sent their riders Daniel Hoffmann and Joachim Krivograd, and by the South Africans Freddie Fourie and Brett Brito. From a Namibian perspective Michael Swanepoel and Ingo Waldschmidt excelled. The duels between the Dane Kent Almar and South African Freddie Fourie were the icing on the cake. It was a close call but a deserved win for Freddie Fourie who won the Open-title in his third attempt. In the “Namibia Trophy of Nations 1999” went to the “best pair” South Africa – Freddie Fourie/Brett Brito. Second: Namibia – Michael Swanepoel/Ingo Waldschmidt. Third: Denmark – Kent Almar/Jacob Almar. This Inter Series was again sponsored by Shell Namibia and the Namibian Breweries/Pepsi. Namib Precast Industries sponsored the Germans with a generous amount, and some of the bikes were organised by Motor Cycle Centre/Elna Kawasaki. Novel Yamaha joined the team of sponsors for the first time and provided the Danish team with a Yamaha YZ250 as well as a car. This is exactly the kind of support that insures the hosting of future international races in Namibia.

1999 wasn’t an easy season, quarrels were taking place and it is thanks to Eckhard Waldschmidt that the core members stuck together. And in general, one has to praise Eckhard for an excellent job done since 1993. For seven years he committed himself, under his able leadership the costruction of the Gallina track took place; a permanent racing facility and the pride of all members. Under his leadership the International Moto Cross Series was called to life and it was his participative management style which brought the WMCC to new hights.

I encourage future chroniclers to mention important decision-makers. Honour to whom honour is due!