Summarize

With 1205 entries, yes, read that again, one thousand two hundred and five entries, a phenomenon of South African motorsport is set to descend on Bergville in KwaZulu Natal for the tenth IMPI Hard Enduro over the week of 1-4 July. Geared to be something for everyone, the Tork Craft backed event in the foothills of the KZN Drakensberg attracts all from the toughest Hard Enduro pros to the Sunday fun rider to Africa’s biggest race of the year. 

Riders must choose to compete in four Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Iron classes, each aiming for a specific time limit. Should he or she be delayed, riders will automatically drop into the classes below, should they not make it in time. Conversely, riders who feel up to it can step up to the class above during the race.

IMPI starts with a voluntary time trial at a time of the rider’s discretion to set seeding on Thursday. Each class then races its own route, which is again split into two with two groups racing separate courses on Friday and Saturday. Gold riders cover 222 gruelling kilometres over the two days, Silver 208 km, Bronze 150 km, and Iron riders 115 km. The classes are further split into under-21, under-35, 45 and 55, and over-55 age groups.

Team Tork Craft is once again represented by father and son team, Ryan, and Reece Hunt at IMPI 2026. Former international motocrosser Ryan and Reese rode together to 84th and 85th in the popular Bronze class in 2025 and their aim is to improve on that this year. To which with Ryan has chosen to ride a new Beta 200RR this week. 

The top Gold class has attracted 75 of the cream of South Africa’s Hard Enduro crop to the IMPI this year. 2025 winner William Slater also on a Beta, has the big target on his back with his chasers last year, James Moore’s KTM and Husqvarna duo Travis Teasdale and Luke Walker taking closest aim. Others to watch for in Gold include Thomas Scales, Matt Stevens, Kyle Flanagan, David Clark, and Armand Fourie, while the legendary Wade Young is also entered. 

IMPI has attracted 328 entries from the semi-professionals in the Silver class. Last year, Chris Barnes topped the Silver pops on his Husqvarna from KTM duo Mpilo Ntuli and Christiaan Cilliers. Thomas Schoeman, Warren Barwell and Gary Phege are also quick among the Silver lot. And look out for the many lurkers hiding in there ready to step up to Gold, too…  

Bronze is the most popular IMPI class with an astounding 499 competitive riders expected in Bergville. The Hunts will count 2025 winner Jordan King on a Sherco, Henlo Meyer, Albe Geldenhuys on their KTMs, Marc Ansley, Seth Turner among their rivals. Last year, former Dakar rider and now car navigator Charan Moore ended sixth in Bronze following a tough week on his KTM. 

Last but not least, the 307 machine weekend warrior Iron crew. Henri Lategan led Jacques Potgieter and Jody Robertson to a KTM 1-2-3 in ’25 with Nathan Berrie, Alex Wedderburn, and Corbin Lindsay in chase. Follow the action live at theimpi.co.za Your IMPI 2026 coverage is brought to you by proud IMPI sponsor, Tork Craft.