WALVIS BAY – “Living life sideways” – was an understatement when spinners and ‘petrol heads’ took adrenalin levels to a whole new high, during Saturday’s first dirt oval races for the season held at the spectacular ‘Desert Raceway’ in Walvis Bay, which is fast becoming the new Mecca for motorsport in Namibia.
With over 40 entries, including first time Go-Karts, Open Class, 8-valves, V8’s space frames and ‘hot rods’, participating in the first round of the Namibian Dirt Oval Championships the mood was exhilarating, as racing continued into the night.
The crowd teaser were the ten spinning & drifting machines from Swakopmund and Walvis Bay which took centre stage in the designated cement arena. The spinning entertained the crowds with their wild smoke belching antics, as they spun their tyres and performed stunts to an enthusiastic roar from the spectators.
Racing was fantastic, as was the spirit of the dirt oval competition, which draws a huge following at the coast. The vehicles turned up in a colourful array of fibre glass bodies sprayed, pimped and decorated to stand out on the track, all with mean engines under the bonnet.
The guys to beat in the 8-Valve Class were the Otjiwarongo lads, Werner Gras Brand, with Jors Scholtz in second and Johan Botes third. A big field turned up for the V8 Class and was won by Johan Roodt, ahead of Frank Stein in third with Dirkie Baard in third spot.
The hotly contested Hotrods Class put up a sizzling dice, with Dyllan Roodt taking the winning podium slot, Jan Everson in second followed by Frank Borruso in third. The Open class quad races also put on a show, and Hugo Arangies tore into first with Max Robberts and Willem Kohne in second and third place. Zander Everson, won the Klein Quads Class ahead of Stefan Borruso and Alexander Jansen.
The N$3.5-million ‘Desert Raceway’ project is the brainchild of two prominent Walvis Bay businessmen, namely Johnny Johnson Doeseb and Johan Roodt, who have revived motorsport in the Erongo Region with a facility that is moving motorsport into another direction.
While the Desert Raceway dirt oval track facility is only in its second year, already great things are happening, and according to Doeseb who drives a thumping V8 Chev powered 350 Spaceframe, as does Johan, the Desert Raceway is the new ‘hot spot’ for motorsport in Namibia.
“We cater for many disciplines of motorsport activities, namely dirt oval track oval track racing, spinning & drifting, go-karting, and the newly established mini 4×4 track.
“Besides racing being the main attraction, the oval track has become a family network area, where people can have fun in a good healthy way, and by providing this kind of entertainment we are creating a culture here at the coast where motorsport is becoming a prominent activity in the area.
“Development of the Desert Raceway is ongoing with certain features such as the Go-Kart track still to be completed by the end of May, as well as an up-grade of the existing drifting courtyard by the end of August.”
Doeseb said that the current cement spinning courtyard of 40 x 60 is already above the Namibian Motorsport Federation (NMSF) requirements, but they are going to improve and enlarge if for the spinners and raise bar to a 60 x 60.
He said that the one-of a kind in the country stadium type spectator stands provide an excellent and safe view point for the crowds, because safety of the spectators is given top priority.
It was also mentioned that there are big things in the pipeline for a youth motorsport development training programme for the previously disadvantaged youth, to help them become racing drivers and grow the sport in this country. Currently the Desert Raceway owners in particular Lynnette Roodt, wife of Johan is running a programme to introduce this within the next few months.
“Lynnette Roodt is a pillar of strength – without her we wouldn’t have come this far, she is our motivation and the reason why so much has happened,” he added saying that other highlights will be a tree planting day to invite the community to plant trees around the periphery of the track. The next race day is scheduled for April 4th.