2016-08-10Staff Report 2 Windhoek The annual Bank Windhoek Namibian Enduro Championship is approaching the decisive stage of the season with only three races left before the curtain closes on the series, as round six gets underway, this weekend. Exciting racing is guaranteed when action resumes at Farm Abbabis on Saturday. Championship leaders will seek to remain on top of the tables, without risking too much, while the other title contenders must step up their efforts if they are to have any chance of grabbing the titles. The Crown Mills and Monster Energy sponsored race will be staged at Farm Abbabis, near Karibib, and has become a classic in the Namibian Enduro Championship calendar. Sandy riverbeds and rocky terrain are to test participants and their machine to the limits, with midday temperatures continuing to rise while dust permeates the atmosphere. Spectators are urged to follow the action near the pit area along the sandy riverbed. The Namibian Enduro Championship regulations make provision for riders to cancel one result from the eight events of the championship in the final calculation at the end of the season. With the season entering its final events, it is time to factor this in and calculate the current standings accordingly. Henner Rusch (KTM), currently dominating the motorbikes class for more than 250 cc with five victories in a row under his belt will have to fend off the rising pressure from Pascal Henle (KTM), Kai Hennes (KTM) and Björn Bierbrauer (Yamaha). The latter pair still has a mathematical chance to win the championship. However, they need to close the gap on Rusch, who enjoys a comfortable 13-point lead in the championship. In the motorbikes up to 200cc class division, Ingo Waldschmidt (KTM) opened a nine-point championship lead after victory in Uis ahead of 2nd placed Marcel Henle (KTM), with Tommy Gous (Yamaha) 11 points adrift of the championship leader. The trio is in good form and a very close finish can be expected. Sven Schneidenberger (KTM) and Frank Ahlreip (KTM) are only separated by just nine points in the senior motorbikes class as a result of Ahlreip’s victory in Uis. Schneidenberger sustained injury at Uis and had to retire but is expected to start this weekend to defend his championship lead. Kai Hohmeier (KTM) and Werner Wiese (KTM) will battle out 3rd place in the championship. They are currently tied on 56 points apiece. Gerald Heiser (KTM) and Jürgen Gladis (KTM) have been in close contention for the championship lead in the Clubman’s Class all season with the event in Uis adding to this exciting contest. Gladis secured victory at Uis, to move within one point of the championship leader but with home turf advantage at Fram Abbabis, Gladis, he is likely to have an advantage over Heiser. In the Offroad Bikes class, Juan van As (KTM) interrupted the four races unbeaten run of championship leader Kurt Hartung (KTM) at Uis and continued his superb upward trend. Hartung still leads comfortably ahead of Lenny Bagwitz (KTM) and Daniel Bagwitz (KTM), yet van As is seeking to enter the top three in this championship at Abbabis. In the Development Class, only eight points separate the top three riders, with Swakopmund-based rider Liam Gilchrist (Husqvarna) in the lead. Noam Babluki (Kawasaki), who was absent at Uis, is currently second, followed by Adam Johnston (Yamaha) in third position. J L Opperman (Honda, 74 points) is back in contention for the overall championship in the Open Quads Class after securing victory at Uis, while championship leader Jens Rubow (Yamaha, 77 points) will seek to stay in the lead. Claire Brendel (Honda) holds a comfortable lead in third place ahead of Gary Rowland (Honda), who finished second in Uis. In the Ladies Quad Class, championship leader Shannon Rowland (Honda) is likely to battle for victory with last year’s champion Maike Bochert (Honda). Coming from Windhoek, participants and spectators are recommended to pass the Engen Service Station on the left-hand side in Karibib and to turn left at Henkert Tourist Centre, followed by a right turn. At the four-way stop, a left turn onto the C32 towards Naukluft Park needs to be taken. After following the C32 (M77) for 15 km, spectators and riders turn right onto the D1952 and follow the road for approximately 10 km to find the pit area on the left side of the road. The Namibian Enduro Club offers quad and off road motorbike enthusiasts the possibility to enjoy the enduro sport and encourages all newcomers to join. For further information consult the Namibian Enduro Club website www.namibianenduro.com, where more information and registration forms are available. 2016-08-10Staff Report 2
