Race Report: Orbis Racing Round 1 at Melkbos
24 February 2014

Published with Permission
Submitted by Mark Sangster for Orbis Racing

The first race of the season gave so many riders a BIG wake up call. Not only was it 32 degrees, but the thick ‘beach’ section claimed quite a few victims. The CTMX club experimented with their new streaming initiative in the senior classes which worked very well.
Our junior team dominated their classes so the strategy of riding the very thick sand section was clearly the correct approach. The boys will still need to work on consistency, but compared to the rest of the field they did very well and earned the points.

In the 65cc class Ethan Coleman got out in front in heat 1 with Ike Klaassen on his back wheel. Our second rider Calum Marriott was not too far behind them running about 2 seconds off the pace. Both Coleman and Klaassen dropped their bikes which opened the door for the ‘in form’ Marriott. Calum won heat 1 proving his consistency in the sand. In heat 2, Coleman was out in front again and dropped it for a second time. This time he was able to get back on very quickly, but it still took him 3 laps to catch and pass his team mate. The final result was Josh De Hutton third, Calum Marriott second and Ethan Coleman on top of the box.

Calum Marriott on his way to winning heat 1 of the 65cc class

Justin Sangster decided to give the 85cc junior a miss and joined the Pro mini boys (who were combined with the 125 cc class). In heat 1, Chad Homan checked out but tired after the halfway mark of the race. Justin displayed great determination to pull him in and eventually ended second. In heat 2 Homan had to retire (bike problems), which gave Justin the win. Racing the full track which included the ‘beach section’ was brilliant practice for the National at Rover this weekend. He certainly has the fitness but is still a bit off the pace.

Justin Sangster drifts through a sandy corner at Melkbos on Saturday.

In stream 1 Kevin Sangster did well to come in 4th (MX2) in heat 1 and 3rd in heat 2. This gave him a third place overall. Kevin was so consistent, smooth and comfortable in the sand. He will need to work on his pace if he would like to challenge for a podium in the club championship this year. Kevin will line up with rest of the national contenders in PE this weekend and will do the entire WOMZA national series.

Well done guys – a great start to the season.

MARK SANGSTER
TEAM MANAGER

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