Kawasaki is out to build on an excellent South African National and GXCC Gauteng Cross Country racing foundation in star-studded 20-bike twin Pepson Plastics Motul and Franchise Company Tork Craft teams attack on both 2022 championships. The green machines bounced back in championship-winning style after a long hiatus in 2021. Now Kawasaki is set to make an even bigger impression in its second season back, starting with the opening GXCC round at Verena, Saturday 5 February.
“We enjoyed an incredible comeback season with Kawasaki’s brand new KX X range in 2021,” Pepson Plastics Kawasaki Motul team principal Iain Pepper confirmed. “Now we are poised to build on that success, and so many valuable lessons learned as we attack the 2022 season with a 20-bike twin-team effort. “Our e2022 campaign will see both Pepson Plastics Motul Racing with Scottish Cables, and Franchise Company Tork Craft Kawasaki running multi-bike teams across several classes. “We are ready to paint the town green!”
“Kawasaki will attack both the National Cross Country and Gauteng Regional GXCC Regional championships in 2022,” Franchise Company Tork Craft Kawasaki Racing boss, Harry Grobler added. “We are fielding top riders in the 450cc OR1, 300cc OR2 and 250cc OR3 classes, as well as in the Ladies, Masters, Seniors, 85cc Juniors and 65cc Juniors. “We are out to defend our rookie season titles and add to those in an even bigger and better campaign this year.“
Kawasaki’s effort is headed by double national and GXCC 450cc OR1, and overall GXCC champion Mike Pentecost fresh off an extensive off-season training program on a Franchise Co. Tork Craft KX 450 X.
He’s backed by national number 3 and GXCC runner-up, and also pre-season fit D’Artagnan Lobjoit, and Craig Alcock’s Pepson and Tyron Beverly Franchise Co. machines. Penetcost’s objective is simple — to go one better and take the overall 2022 SA National Championship. Lobjoit is out to win too.
Kawasaki is also making a concerted four-bike KX 250 X challenge on the OR3 class. Boasting an exciting blend of youth and experience, Taki Bogiages and Kyle Mackenzie head up the quarter-litre chase off an impressive debut in 2021, once again aboard a pair of KX 250 Xs. They are joined by regional High School champion John Botha moving up to OR3, alongside Wian Wenzel on a pair of Franchise Co. entries. Dijan van der Merwe meanwhile takes on the 350s aboard a big bore KX 280 X in OR2.
Perhaps the most exciting Kawasaki Cross Country new recruit news however surrounds its double Pepson Plastics Motul Senior class attack. Multiple SA Cross Country champion Kenny Gilbert is back on a KX 450X and multiple SA motocross champion, Wyatt Avis on a KX 250 X. Both are likely contenders National overall honours. Lee Thompson will race Regional Seniors, Masters regular Carel ‘Mielies’ Le Roux will be out on Franchise Co. Tork Craft machine and Iain Pepper will make occasional Veteran Regional appearances too.
There’s just as exciting news about Kawasaki’s GXCC Ladies effort. Four-time National Ladies MX champion Kayla Raaf will run in Pepson Plastics colours and reigning Pro Ladies champion Che Dee Grobler will race for Franchise Co, backed by Danel Delport in Pro Am. Kawasaki will also chase 85cc Junior glory with Jaden Els and Johandre Vermaak riding for the Franchise Co, and Pepson’s Clayton Human. Pepson Plastics lads Jake Pretorius and Dylan Human will race in the 65cc class.
“We have no shortage of talent riding a fleet of brilliant 2022 model Kawasaki KX Xs in both the SA National and GXCC Regional championships,” Iain Pepper points out. “Our entire team, from us managers, through the technical and back-up crew to our ace riders cannot wait to race,” Harry Grobler concluded. “We wish all our riders the very best for the season ahead and thank all our sponsors and partners for their contributions to make it happen. ”It all starts at Verena this weekend — bring it on!”
