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Kawasaki/Racer X Race Report: GP of South Africa

July 21, 2008

By Adam Wheeler; Photos by Ray Archer

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Barragan at the Double in South Africa

Although you wouldn’t stake your mortgage on it, a reasonably safe bet could be made on James Stewart at a national this season. A braver individual would open their wallet at an MX1 Grand Prix. Jonathan Barragan broke a trend by winning his second event in succession and taking his third winner’s trophy this year, becoming the most successful racer of 2008 so far (from seven victors) as he owned hot and sunny proceedings at the inauguration of the Nelspruit circuit for the tenth round of fifteen.

The MX1 class gets underway

Perhaps the closest cousin to an AMA circuit thanks to its rural “desertscape” and careful level of preparation to the dirt (even if it did not chop up as much as it might have), Nelspruit replaced the luxurious resort of Sun City as the chest cavity for South African motocross, and the tight, twisty, narrow layout was another pleasant element of diversity on the world championship schedule.

While the baptism of Nelspruit was complete with a majority of thumbs-ups from the riding fraternity and 20,000 spectators, the date of the meeting could be revised for future editions. Twenty-five degrees represents a country deep into its winter period, but the races were struck by an unsociable sun that would start to depart in the middle of the afternoon, making jumps a blind launch and casting deep shadows that would hide chiseled ruts. Slug-slow back markers combined with the light to make the final sprint – the second MX1 moto – a perilous activity.

Jonathan Barragan took the MX1 win

Barragan showed the quickest and smoothest adaptation to the track and the conditions, and although the MX1 Timed Practice on Saturday has been a weak indication as to who will tread the path to the podium, the Spaniard was pacey in all sessions and admitted he felt extremely comfortable around the African dirt from the first tread. A man of little words and a difficult reputation, Barragan has dumped his erratic tag earned through inconsistency in the past three years and for the last two events has looked every inch a formidable prospect.

David Philippaerts (19) finished fourth overall and retained his points lead

With results of third and first in two unremarkable motos (the opener had an interesting finale, with four riders bunching up in the last two laps and championship leader David Philippaerts chasing second place Steve Ramon to the flag), Barragan had his fill. To his sides on the podium was another KTM rider, Max Nagl, who aced both holeshots and led both motos for decent stretches. The small German has only just recovered from a virus and, with this kind of speed from the gate, could enact Stewart-esque domination in 2009. Ramon was third, his fourth podium of the year, by just one point over Philippaerts, meaning that the championship gap has narrowed marginally to 11 points.

Josh Coppins finished sixth

Josh Coppins hit the deck at the start of a moto for the third heat
in succession but his chase from a top-ten position at the opening of the second sprint to take fourth (almost pipping Pourcel for third at the death) was the most exciting sight of a static second race as he used some brave line choices.
Steve Boniface had been suffering stomach pain and was a spent force in both races, taking two 13ths.

Billy Mackenzie

In the MX2 class, the edginess between world champion Tony Cairoli and KTM’s Tommy Searle was partially extinguished on Friday with an FIM meeting and request to tone down the frantic action and ill feeling. The duo would not get the chance to show their newfound amiability on the track, as the big news of the meeting involved Cairoli’s double non-score for the first time since 2004. The World Champion almost crashed around the fourth corner of the first lap of Moto 1 and jarred his left knee saving the bike. Withdrawing a few laps later, there were encouraging signs when the joint did not begin to swell, and he took painkiller to attempt Moto 2. Two mistakes, one of which a scary over-jump, aggravated the joint, causing more pain around the meniscus and prompting fears it may be broken.

Germany's Max Nagl was second overall

Searle showed intent and dispensed with his tendency to err with a rampant pole position ahead of an anxious-to-please Rattray. The same ranking would take Grand Prix honors as Searle took advantage of a small crash in Moto 1 by Rattray (eventually taking third behind a reborn Nico Aubin, who scooped his first podium finish of the year; same Yamaha model, different face) to flee and then played runner-up to Rattray in Moto 2 to safely ensure his spoils. The South African enjoyed a free run in Moto 2 and then a last-lap cruise and acknowledgement of the crowd as the sun began its rapid descent.

MX1 podium

“Hopefully, Tony can come back fit and race with us,” said Searle.
“I have been there and know what it feels like to work so hard and see a season take a dip,” offered Rattray. Said Cairoli, “I am very disappointed but we will try to fix this. The championship is looking difficult now but Tyla and Tommy have worked hard to be going for the title.”

Tony Cairoli suffered two DNFs

The two most improved riders of the MX2 class this season – and two of the brightest new stars – Steven Frossard (a target for at least three teams in 2009) and Shaun Simpson filled the top five respectively.

MX2 action

Five rounds remain in 2008, comprising the final third of the season. Two of those races will involve deep sand circuits, the first of which will come into view in just two weeks for the Grand Prix of Belgium and the eleventh stop on the calendar.