Tankwa Cross Country Rally 2019 Press Release

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Offroad2

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2019 Tankwa Cross Country Rally press release:

Spectacular Tankwa scenery and terrain delivered three days of challenging Off-road XC racing.

The Organising Committee wishes to thank all the Participants for their determined racing commitment and sporting Camaraderie. Congratulations to the Winners, the finishers and all those who gave their best effort. We would also like to thank all Competitors and Crews for the wonderful compliments, during and post event, which are really appreciated.
Now in its 4th year, the Motorsport SA affiliated Tankwa XC Rally truly tested riders and their machines both physically and mentally. With both Road Book and GPS navigation available as options to riders, they needed to adapt quickly to this new style of racing and they did well to quickly grasp a good understanding of what was required to navigate both accurately and fast over the harsh Tankwa terrain.


The lead in the Rally Class (roadbook navigation) changed several times throughout the event. After a mechanical issue put paid to Martin Louren’s chances in 2018, this year he bounced back with some determined riding to take a well-earned 1st Overall in class aboard his Droomers Yamaha WR450.


David Ellis showed his natural ability to read the rugged terrain and navigate at pace and earned a 1st place Gold Open Bike class (GPS navigation) for the third year in succession aboard his Eddie2Race FE501 Husqvarna. David did not have it easy as Devan Marais (Helderberg Yamaha) was close on his heals up to the halfway mark. However, due to chin laceration attained during a fall, Devan sadly was forced to retire from the event.

For the second year in succession, a very consistent Kim Rew achieved 1st Ladies Gold covering approx. 800km - Kim clearly knows how to finish well. In training for Dakar 2020 Taye Perry, entered the Gold Open Bikes class and to finished an impressive 5th amongst the men.
Other well-earned results;
Pieter de Wet 1st Gold 200/250cc, Andrew Smit 1st Gold Quads, Dirk Roets 1st Gold big Bore, Alison Droomer 1st Ladies Silver covering 670km, Johan Jacobs 1st Men’s Silver, Stephen Mc Gregor 1st Sliver Big Bore & Riaan De Jager 1st Vintage Bikes.

Live tracking of riders throughout the event made for safer racing, which also allowed for generous time bars for competitors to finish in what was described as a tough, challenging but extremely enjoyable race.

Brett Parish #68 Quote  “The Tankwa is a truly unique place. It’s stark and harsh yet it embodies a warmth that brings me back every year, be it to race or assist with the race. Its people make it what it is, they are humble and appreciative and they embrace you like one of their own. We don’t deserve or earn this right, it’s something they give and if you give it back in return, you have friendships that will last forever.”

Dirk Roets #8 Quote  “This event is made special by Tankwa’s beauty, the tremendous effort and dedication of the Organising team and by the camaraderie shown by the competitors.  A big thank you to everyone who helped to create such an awesome experience!”

Willem Avenant #282 Quote  “The Organisation said there is nothing like it out there, "Tankwa is Tankwa", and I have to concur.
However, Tankwa is not JUST Tankwa, it is something special, something more... What makes the Tankwa so special is not only the exceptional terrain or the tough technical course/route, it is the PEOPLE, and the EXPERIENCE.”

The Routes: Clive Crouse Quote  “The Route Directors have used available terrain to their best abilities, to design routes that will test both man and machine’s endurance. While taking into account, emergencies, recoveries, the environment and Landowners, we designed testing routes that leave enough space to mix up and add extra routes in coming years. Routes were purposely chosen to maximise the variety of Tankwa landscape, making it a special and memorable place to race. Apart from the enjoyment of routes, focus on safety is paramount over the 1200km where dangers were marked and double checked, speed zones and critical no go areas marked along with live tracking on competitors, medics and marshal teams which proved highly successful. 

So much has been learnt from this format with all logistics being managed from one central Race HQ. From this platform we will strive to improve going forward. The Bench Mark has been set! "



Special Thank You:
Tankwa Farmers and Landowners
Event Sponsor First Technology
Event Sponsor Helderberg Yamaha
Live Tracking – African Stuff
Motorsport Officials
Organising Teams
Competitors and Crews
Photos courtesy Michael Ellis
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