For the first time the all new Okahandja Track opened its doors for an official practise session. We arrived at around 11:30 and many riders on quads and bikes were eager to test their new 2008 material.

In Namibian motocross circles the year 2007 will be remembered very positively as each of the eleven races had its highlights. The fact that a foreigner was the overall winner does not hurt, since Ross Branch from Botswana brought the average speed of the Namibians to another, higher level. The unrivaled rider had a positive influence on the sport and knew how to entertain the spectators with wonderful “whips”. And Ross Branch did not take away the national title to Botswana, since he only competed for the “silverware”.

At 35 degree celcius and under a heavy dustcloud the 8th Motocross Championship meeting of the season was held at Gobabbis. Dust was the main reason for some hefty crashes that occurred in most categories during the day. Some youngsters were up in tears on the way to the medical-aid tent. Dust was the reason for the official of the NMSF (Namibia Motor Sport Federation) to stop the final race of the day, the Bif-5 King of the Dirt after only two laps. This situation could not be tolerated anymore! What a pity!

For the second time this year the Namibian Moto Cross riders are going to Gobabis to take part in the 8th Namibian Moto Cross Championships race. It goes without saying that the beautiful sand-track in Gobabis is one of the participants most favoured tracks. The driving force behind the Gobabis Moto Cross Club (GMC) is Wikus Engelbrecht, who will see to it that the track is in top condition, and who also acts as the main sponsor for the race on the 1st of September, with his company Big-5.

There are bankers or industrialists who doe care how their sponsorship is used and who ask themselves the question "what do I get in return for sponsoring a certain type of sport?".

It is not easy to pay back a sum X in the form of PR-campaigns but a sport which takes itself seriously sees to it that all newspapers receive press-releases, that all relevant information is lead to the popular MX-web-pages in southern Africa, Europe and the USA, that all of Namibia’s radio stations inform listeners about the events, and that NBC-TV receives invitations to the races.

No sport can survive these days without generous sponsors from the industry and the economy. Those who have witnessed the enthusiam with which the men and women from the Windhoek Moto Cross Club (WMCC) organise and present their monthly championship races, can only be impressed. Like in most other sports codes, it’s only a handful of people who carry the burden of pulling off such a big event.

Seven races, seven wins! This goes for our guest from Botswana, the pro Ross Branch. Ross already rode in Germany for renowned racing teams such as Kawasaki Elf Team Pfeil, Bodo Schmidt-KTM and Sturm Racing Team. His ever success in Namibia is therefore predictable. He likes the Namibian racing tracks and the professionally organised events. Of course he is keen on the popular after-parties as well! Therefore he takes on the burden of travelling to and fro in order to participate in every single Namibian MX-race. His latest victory wasn't unexpected, but apart from that, the racing day held a couple of surprises in store. And all that in front of the eyes of the representatives of First National Bank, the generous sponsor!

When all the Namibian Moto Cross riders had prepared their bikes for the soft sand and altitude of the capital of the east - Gobabis that is - out of the blue the info was received that on the same weekend a major soccer competition is to take place in Gobabis. Since no accommodation was available this motorsport-event had to get cancelled.

As expected, the rightfull winner of the Open/125cc Class came once again from Botswana. Ross Branch won his races without much a ado but the distance to the pursuing riders is getting smaller! The MX-pro from Botswana, who's races in Namibia are sponsored by Namibia Technical Services, collects the "silverware" but at the same time does a lot to improve the sport's reputation in Namibia.

The young man from Botswana on his Kawasaki has nothing to fear: 5 races - 5 victories! However, the competition in the Open/125cc Class is getting tougher. Rainer Becker on a strong Yamaha, put some pressure on him during the last race 4 weeks ago. And another rider has regained his strength, Brannigan "Animal" Wise has recovered from long-term injuries and was able to finish 3rd in the Wesbank King of the Dirt. The sponsor Wesbank (an affiliate of First National Bank of Namibia) should be pleased, as this constellation guarantees exciting races on the 16th of June at the Gallina Moto Cross Park.