Chasing racing championships on two wheels and four
Team Tork Craft has been very busy over the past few months. Whether it’s been charging through the Cross Country rivers and forests, hunting hundredths of seconds around South Africa’s National Extreme Festival racetracks or flying high over those motocross jumps and whoop-de-dos, the lads have been gathering the silverware at staggering pace.
Starting with Cross Country racing, the factory Red Rocket Franchise Co Tork Craft Honda Wing team has been hard at it everywhere from the hills and dales of KZN, to the desert of the Northwest. South African open class OR1 champion Mike Pentecost topped a great season so far with a class win in Vryburg to head into the September 9 season finale second in class and third in the overall South African national championship.
Another Tork Craft rider, Murray Smith is unbeaten in the 85cc Junior class, while on the other end of the age scale, Louwrens Mahoney and Wynand Delport sit second and third in the Senior class championship chase. Tork Craft Honda rider Kobus Jonck is charging up the Masters title table after a late start, while there are four Tork Craft Hondas in the 250cc OR2 top ten. Haydn Cole sits third, Tyron Beverley and John Botha fifth and sixth, and Noah Maartens ninth. Honda sits second in the Manufacturer’s chase.
Moving on to four wheels on the tarmac, Giordano Lupini and his Tork Craft Volkswagen are another combination tearing through a championship title in CompCare Polo Cup. Lupini missed the first race of the season but bounced back in style to dominate the second round at his Killarney, Cape Town home track. Already three-time winner in 2023, Gio and his black Tork Craft Polo are determined to end the season in style at Killarney again on 9 September, and at Zwartkops in Pretoria on 14 October.
Moving on to motocross, Team Tork Craft patron Ryan Hunt is blazing a thrilling trail to the World Vets and Veteran Motocross des Nations in the UK on 27 August. Former 12-time South African champion and motocross international Ryan has prepared by fighting up front in regional 250cc four stroke OR2 races abord his 125 two-stroke Tork craft Husqvarna, as well as tackling the treacherous IMPI enduro alongside son Reece.
Sticking with motocross, former champions Tony Riddell and Ryan Hunt continue to develop future champions via the Tork Craft RTR Ride Train Race program. Riddell and Hunt have a team of 24 up and coming young Southern African motocross racers under their wing, among who are making waves in the national and junior classes.
“The 2023 racing season may be heading towards the chequered flag, but it’s flat out on all fronts for Team Tork Craft,” Ryan Hunt concludes. “It’s a busy time and we are reaping the rewards, so best of luck to all the lads, wherever or whatever they are racing. Fly that Tork Craft flag high and bring those results home!”
Issued on behalf of VERMONT SALES
What | : | Team Tork Craft Midseason Report |
Where | : | Midrand, Gauteng |
When | : | Tuesday 15 August 2023 |
Community | : | South Africa National |
For further information please contact ryanhunt@vermontsales.co.za
Click on thumbnails to Download images