Benoni racers are champions

Jaycee Nienaber, riding for the senior Manhand Shimwells Yamaha team, competed in the OR3 250cc class in both the National and the Northern Regional Off-road Championships, on October 5.

Even after losing power on his motorcycle and a massive crash, he managed to recover and continue the race.

Nienaber claimed back four positions to finish the race in first place, in both the National and Northern Regional classes.

After the race the pit crew found that his exhaust pipe was cleanly broken off in the middle, but Nienaber did the best he could and rode the Yamaha with full faith in its capabilities.

This was the last race in the Senior National Off-road Championships, and Nienaber has achieved a second place in the OR3 class for the year and an impressive 11th overall in all classes.

This was also the penultimate Northern Regional race.

Nienaber has now safely secured the OR3 Northern Regional Championship, by achieving first overall, with a race to spare.

Bradley Nortje, riding for the junior Manhand Shimwells Yamaha team, competed in the open class in the Northern Regional Off-road Championship, on October 12.

If ever there was a race in which Nortje had to perform, then this was it.

With one point between himself and Dean Lindsey to determine the overall Junior Northern Region Champion, this was the race that would secure bragging rights.

On lap two, with a mere five second gap to Lindsey, Nortje fought the heat and the demanding track and gave his best.

The pit crew managed to refuel the tank in less than five seconds and, on the last lap, a mere two seconds separated them.

With renewed willpower, Nortje held his last lap and managed to win the 2013 Junior Northern Regions Overall Championship and Open Class Championship by a close 22 seconds.

These riders had a long season of hardship, blood, sweat and tears, while competing against the best.