Moto-X riders off to SA

Thursday to take part in the second round of the 2011 South African National Motocross Championships in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
Ashley and Cameron Thixton, Kurt Greatorex, Regan Wasmuth, Reagan Bond and Tristan Grainger will once again carry the country’s flag during the one-day event in Port Elizabeth.
These same six young riders represented the country during the opening round of the South African National Championships in Durban during the second weekend of last month where they all performed below par.
In fact, none of them managed a top three-podium finish in their respective race categories in Durban where they found the going tough against some of South Africa’s top motocross riders.
But one of the country’s top motocross officials, Gary Grainger, who will accompany the six riders to Port Elizabeth, was yesterday convinced that they will all perform well this time around.
“We are expecting better results from the kids this time around because they have been practising hard over the past few weeks and are determined to do well in Port Elizabeth.
“After their poor showing in the last round in Durban, they have reviewed their performances, corrected their mistakes and I think they will put up a much better show this coming weekend.
“In fact, they now know what to expect down there and are looking at posting some good results, come this Saturday in Port Elizabeth,” Gary Grainger said.
In Port Elizabeth, the Zimbabweans charge for the top honours will be led by the country’s top rider Ashley Thixton who will be competing in the main MXI and MX2 events.
Ashley Thixton, the 2010 national champion, disappointed in his last outing in Durban last month where he struggled on the track and will be hoping for a change of fortunes in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
Good results are also expected from Ashley Thixton’s young brother Cameron who will be riding a Honda 150 and will be taking on some of South Africa’s top riders in the MX Lite section of the competition.
Wasmuth will be carrying the country’s hopes in the 65cc Class while two young riders Bond and eight-year-old Tristan Grainger should also post some good results in the 50cc Class.
Gary Grainger said the six young riders are expected to fly to South Africa on Thursday while the local officials, who will be looking after them there, are scheduled to leave for Port Elizabeth today by road.
“We (the officials) are going to leave for Port Elizabeth on tomorrow (today) with the riders’ bikes and we will team-up with them there before Saturday’s racing.
“In fact, they will all first practise on Friday before taking part in the South African National Championships the following day,” Gary Grainger said.
The six South Africa-bound young riders all ride locally under the Bogwheelers Club which has, of late, been in the forefront of reviving the sport of motocross in this country under its chairman Jim Perry.