21 Apr 2015

Dartagnan Lobjoit dominated the first Botswana Motor Sport (BMS) national race at the Dumela Track in Francistown on Saturday (April 18).


The Okavango Motor Club rider was in his element with powerful displays during the heats early in the morning and crowned his day by taking honours in the MX2 class.
 From the first heat, Lobjoit blazed on the trails and left his competitors to battle behind him.


He took to the laps and jumps in style giving spectators something to savour after completing a lap.
 On the day, the air at the Dumela Track was contaminated with idling and roaring motorbike engines as they disappeared and re-emerged from the burrows of the track that had in the previous night been blessed by heavy showers. 


This set the stage for a decent spectacle of motocross racing as both riders and spectators did not have any dust to contend with, save for elements of muddy surfaces here and there.
 The trick for Lobjoit was the manner in which he managed to start ahead of a pack of riders, and not getting bogged down in the corners with the rest of the group which gave him ample time and opportunity to execute heart stopping jumps.


His reaction was superb much to the delight of the spectators who had thronged the track in large numbers for the maiden championship race. 
 He cut his corners with precision and watching him jump had fans calling for more.

His speed on the straightaway was also on point as he pulled ahead in his laps with ferocious pace and built a commanding lead.
In the absence of Ross Branch who had in the past dominated races, he ruled the roost like a true champion.


He attributed his success to good preparation and determination.
“I prepared well for the race and Lobelo Racing Club put on a great race. I also enjoyed the fact that I competed with fast riders from all over the country,” Lobjoit said.
He encouraged upcoming young riders to just have fun if they want to do well in the sport. 


The winner of the MX2 class also applauded his sponsors, explaining that they played a big role in getting him ready for races.
 From the Francistown championship race, Lobjoit highlighted that he had a few races lined up outside the country in the South African off road racing circuit and another off road race in Victoria Falls. 
The Saturday event also saw Nathan Berrie winning the 50MX followed by another rider and Aryan Prakesh respectively.


In the MX high school class, Douglas Morris emerged victorious followed by Joshua Potts.
 In the MX1 class, Calvin Collington took first position followed by Wayne Berrie and Lepsy Masope respectively.


The host of the race and organisers, Lobelo Racing Club (LRC) secretary, Lola Berrie highlighted that the event was a success with both junior and senior riders putting up impressive performances.
For his part, Botswana Motor Sport’s Federation Internationale de Motorcyclisme (FIM) development officer, Colonel Motlapele Majama also praised LRC for hosting the first race of the season.

He also had high praise for attendance which he said was very good.
Motocross in Botswana, he said, was showing signs of growth. 
“In order for us to take the sport forward there is need for clubs to affiliate to BMS and to work with the association in order for them to benefit from the Botswana National Sports Council’s Re Ba Bona Ha programme whose focus is grassroots development,” he highlighted.

The race day also included fun rides by unlicensed riders, including the new Pee Wee class and training of juniors in the morning by Lobjoit. Ends