Champion reveals the secret of his success

Louwrens, tell us a bit about the series you race in?
Off-road racing in South Africa can be divided into two main divisions, being enduro and offroad racing, and I am blessed enough to have the privilege to compete in, as well as having obtained national titles in, both before. Off-roads and enduros fall under “non circuit racing” and brings this highly competitive series to the various terrains South Africa offers; bush, berg, field, sand and anywhere two wheels could possibly take us.
The off-road series is the fast and flowing format of racing where enduros have slower speeds but with more technical challenges. There are various offroad and enduro series, ranging from club, regional and national as well as junior and seniors.
The Senior National Off-road races are 400km of a unknown track, being made up of two different loops, with a 15min decontrol in between.
The National Enduros are shorter, with a total of approximately 250km. The format of enduros however are completely different. The race consist of regularities (non racing sections) and with three or four special stages (racing sections).

How did you get started in racing and how long have you been doing it?
I grew up on a farm out in the Lowveld which allowed me to be very adventurous and developing my love for the outdoors. At the mere age of 6, I was blessed enough to have had my dad buy me a PV50 to play around with in the garden. Little did we know that a great journey had just stared. Once I out grew my 50cc, I moved up to a PW80, and eventually a Yamaha YZ80. One of my dads friends saw me riding on the farm, still just for the fun, and recommended him to take me to a local race. At that stage I was 12 years old. As each race passed I became more serious and more competitive and slowly but surly made my way up the ranks. After school I moved up to Pretoria where more opportunities awaited. I have been racing for about 20 years on a professional level, but it is by the grace of God I have gotten to where I am today,

What have been your major challenges in racing in 2014, and how did you addressed them?
Being such a competitive series, consistency is of utmost importance. Winning the first two rounds of the Off-road Road National championship, I had misfortune at the third round when I encountered mechanical failure. Thereafter, I “had” to win and remain consistent throughout the rest of the season. I could not allow myself to become pessimistic or pressurised and had to remain focused on the championship title.

To what do you attribute your championship win in 2014?
I believe that no success can be obtained alone, therefore I can humbly say that without my Brother KTM team, all my sponsors, family and friends, who has been a dynamic support structure, I would not have won this championship.

What do you like most about (off-road motorcycling) racing?
I have a very competitive nature and a love for speed. What I do dictates your lifestyle in terms of fitness, health and pushing the limits. It is demanding, develops great friendships but when the flags drops – it is race time.

Any plans to race in other series or events in the future? (i.e. supercross etc)
For 2015 I am planning on strictly focusing on the national off-road and Enduro championships as well as doing the already existing Time Freight Super Enduro Series, this allows me to give my sponsors maximum coverage. I also believe that Enduro Cross is a fast growing series in South Africa which is also very spectator friendly which brings growth to Motorsport in the country.

What bike do you race?
2014 as well as for the 2015 season I will be on the saddle of my Brother KTM 500 XCF-W for the National Off Roads and the 350 XCF-W for the Enduro series. I have become very comfortable on these to bikes and the excellent team at KTM along with our mechanic Chris Engel has got a great set-up on the bikes for both series.

Who was your hero or mentor growing up?
I never really had a hero or a role model. With strong Christian morals and values and a desire to be who the Lord has created me to be, I never doubt myself or my faith, and if I may have became weary at times, my family and good Christian friends was there to inspire and correct me.

What can you say about your competition and who is your closest rival?
Due to the high standard, quality and professionalism of the racing, each rider brings his best game to the start line at each event. Top fitness, mental strength, preparation and the best team and crew behind each riders attributes to the tensions at theses events. I don’t allow myself to get caught up in all of this – I am my own rival. I believe in a spirit of excellence and being the best, and I will push myself until I achieve just that.

What are your likes and dislikes about your bike?
Being part of what I believe is the best manufacturer, KTM, there are many perks, latest technology, reliability, and the dedication to developing discipline specific bikes. Our off-road and enduro bikes, XCF-W, are perfect for our terrain and types of racing. The only dislikes I have is having to return my bikes at the end of each season.

Who prepares your bike and what work goes into it before each race?
Preparation is a key and I have been blessed to have work with some great mechanics. This year the Brother KTM team had the talented and passionate Chris Engel from KTM Austria as our team mechanic, who brought a new level of professionalism and expertise to the team straight from the factory. The entire bike gets stripped and a complete race prep inspection is done, from fresh oil, new tyres, brake pads, suspension services right down to a new sticker kit is in order.

Do you train to keep fit for racing?
Training and fitness is what will set you apart in the field of talented and strong riders. I am dedicated and committed to a strict training programme and healthy lifestyle. I aim at achieving my best potential and I am aware that it is only by pushing my own limits.
My training varies from high intensity cardiovascular training, functional strength training and then as much time in the saddle as possible so that I can be comfortable on my bike, come race day.

What is your first memory on two wheels?
Taking it back to my young days on the farm in Nelspruit, my first memory on two wheels is unfortunately crashing behind my dad on his XR200 in the ploughed fields.

What has off-road motorcycling done for your life?
All broken bones aside – racing has taken me to the most beautiful places across the
world. It has allowed me to meet great people who I now can call friends.
Racing has taught me so many lessons in life, commitment, patience, how to take the good with the bad, it has developed me into the determined person I am today. Racing has become more than just my career, it has become a way of life to me, and this journey is one I would not exchange for anything else.

Have you had any serious injury in racing? If so how did it affect your career in the sport?
I have broken more bones than what I can remember, but fall down seven times, got back up eight times! Injuries are unfortunately part of racing and some are more serious than others. From compressing my C5 and C6 vertebras at the age of 16, to breaking various bones, collar bone, wrists, arm, ankle, and more. Numerous injuries have cost me championships in the past but I am blessed to still be racing bythe grace of God.

What is your definition of a champion?
A champion is a strong-willed person who believes that inside him lives a spirit that can overcome any obstacle. It is someone who is not phased by the opinions of others but knows that by doing what others are not willing to do,  he will achieve what others cannot – someone who never quits and above all else someone who is humble enough to shine the light of the Lord when they are standing on the top step of the podium.