WINDHOEK – Otjihase Mine will play hosts to the 5th round of the popular National Enduro Race Series and tomorrow will be the D-day to secure vital points that could still influence the final outcome of the series in some classes.
As always, there is a welcome hand extended to those wanting to try out the sport in a controlled environment and with the season half way gone, the championship is now hotly contested and this weekend’s race promises to be a good test in all classes.
Henner Rusch has an unassailable lead in the open class with Marcel Henle out of action due to injury but the battle for the last step on the podium and possibly 2nd spot is still up for grabs with three riders focusing on the best results for the last three races.
Gunther Gladis is marginally ahead of Kai Hennes and Heiko Stranghoehner, so some exciting action lies ahead with none of the riders able to relax.
The Master Bikes class has seen a change in fortune this season with the pair of Werner Wiese and Martin Kruger battling it out for the top step. With just 3 points separating the pair, no inch will be given, however, the dark horse Jorn Greiter the 2017 champion will also keep them in check. Last year’s Support Bikes champion Jurgen Gladis is currently trailing Oliver Rohrmuller by 10 points following a DNF earlier in the season but is sure to push hard to narrow the margin in the remaining races,
In Class 10 or beginners class, quad rider moving to two wheels JL Opperman has been showing the rest of the field a clean pair of tracks – winning all four races in the series so far.
This year has seen a total of 43 entries across the four races, certainly a positive sign for the sport and the future talent coming through the ranks. Tracks for this class are generally not as technical with plenty jeep track and are just a fair terrain to boost the skills over time.
The development class where smaller bikes and younger riders can start out in the sport this season has seen 12 riders progressing through this particular sporting discipline.
The rules are such that a senior rider or parent can ride with the youngsters and the shorter route helps the fuel reach on the smaller bikes.
This however, does not impact on the enthusiasm of the little ones nor the skills some are displaying at such a tender young age. For more info, please visit www.namibianenduro.com or like our Facebook page.