Young rider gunning for national title
He's third on the overall championship standings.
Leaning on his trophy, which is almost his height, Rynfield rider Reestin Bartlett described winning the Cape Town leg of the South African Motocross Championships on June 28 as one of his finest performances this season.
After placing third in Round Four in Pietermaritzburg, the eight-year-old put pedal to the metal to conquer the deep sand of the Zone 7 MX Track, winning the 50cc class ahead of Travis Hart and Tiaan Scheppel — his first victory of the season.
“I’m very happy. With the season I’m having, I felt confident I would win. Cape Town is a big one,” he said.
Lying third in the overall championship standings, the win brought the Farrarmere Primary School learner within four points of second place.
His season started with a strong opener at Wetherd MX Park in East London in March, followed by a fifth-place finish at Rover MX in Gqeberha on May 3, and a podium at Thunder Valley MX Track in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands.
Reflecting on his season, Reestin said the Cape Town performance laid down a marker. He is confident of winning the next two races — at Borc MX Track in Bloemfontein on July 26 and at Teza in Richards Bay on August 30.
“My season has been good. The goal is to be first in the championship,” said Reestin.
Coached by one of the country’s top motocross racers, Jesse Wright, and coming from a family of motocross fanatics — his father Harry is also a rider — Reestin was drawn to the sport by the challenging obstacles of off-road racing.
“Motocross is very different from road racing. It has different wheels, and the tracks are bumpier and rougher. It’s exciting.”
Harry bought Reestin his first bike as a five-year-old in 2022, and he began racing the following year at age six. Last year, he competed in the junior class, winning the championship in his debut season.
In his rookie year as a senior, Reestin — who looks up to American motocross superstar Haiden Deegan — has made an immediate impact and is in the running for the 50cc class championship title.
Harry expressed his pride, saying, “It’s a hectic sport, but he’s a hard worker. I’m very proud. Thanks to Wrap My Ride, Raaf Racing, Roost KTM, and Jesse.”
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