This past weekend saw a very exciting motocross weekend, not just for Zenner Racing, but for motocross as a whole. 68 riders converged on Gobabis to take advantage of an excellent prepared track and event. A big thank you from our team must go to the organizers, but especially to Tobie Barlow who prepared an excellent track.

This weekend also saw the return of multiple South African and Namibian Moto-Cross Champion and newest addition to the Zenner Racing Team, Rainer Becker. A few months ago, Rainer was offered to ride Tommy’s Zenner/Novel sponsored YZ450F Yamaha for the remainder of the year while Tommy was still working overseas. He gladly accepted the offer and started to get into shape before attempting to compete in the Open class. He chose his ‘home’ event to make his comeback, and what a comeback it was.

In the first heat, Rainer had a good enough start, but was bundled up in the first corner, dropping him way down the field. It only took him a few laps to take second place in the open class. He followed the first place rider for a lap before making his pass for the lead. He comfortably held on to that lead for the remainder of the race.

In the second heat he had a much better start and was able to get into lead within a few laps. Again, once he secured 1st place for his class, he managed his pace in order to conserve his energy for the final heat.

In the third heat, also the ‘King of the Dirt’ heat, he took the lead immediately and settled down into a smooth but fast pace. He was able to open a good gap and remained very consistent for the remainder of the heat. He was passed for the overall heat race lead halfway through the race, but was passed by a rider competing in another class, not compromising his class lead. Rainer finished the day with maximum points in the Open Class and second in the ‘King of the Dirt’.

Everyone knew that Rainer was still fast and expected him to compete up-front, but no-one expected him to be on top in his first event. EXCELLENT COME BACK.

Matthew also had an excellent day in the 65cc class. After his 4th overall in Swakopmund two weeks ago, he was adamant to improve on that and get back onto the podium as soon as possible. His starts were excellent in all his heats, placing him in second place around the first corner in each heat. He was very aggressive and fought hard for his positions.

In the first heat, he was only able to hold on to second for a short while before being passed. He had good speed however and held off a challenge from behind and finished the race in 3rd.

In the second heat, Matthew was passed while lying in 3rd place half way through the race. He did not give up however, and when the 3rd placed rider went down, Matthew re-took 3rd place and held that position until the end of the race.

By time the 3rd heat came, the track had become exceptionally rough with some very sandy sections. For a small rider like Matthew, these are very difficult track conditions to compete on. He started well again but fell back to 4th in the first lap. He only needed to hold that position to finish the day overall in 3rd, and that is how it ended up.

It was also a special day for a local boy, who is severely mentally handicapped, but an absolute motocross fanatic. Andries has been to all the Gobabis events over the past few years and the motocross community decided to give him a few minutes in the limelight. Before the start of the final heat, the ‘King of the Dirt’, all riders assembled and had photos taken with him. He was also presented by Rainer and Matthew with a one of Matthew’s FLY motocross race shirt. It was a very emotional moment and his grand parents, who bring him to all these events, could not hold back their tears.

All in all and absolute fantastic weekend and we are sure the trend will continue at the next event in June held in Windhoek.

A BIG ‘Thank You’ to Fakkie and Tommy for the use of their bike.

Thanks to all that supports us, it is greatly appreciated.
Regards
ZENNER RACING