Pepson Plastics Factory Kawasaki Racing with Motul, Gilbert Mining, Scottish Cables, Michelin, Acerbis, Renthal, DID and Arai, got its 2023 Cross Country Racing season off to a golden start at the GXCC Gauteng championship opener at Lekoa Lodge Saturday. The team delivered two wins and two-second places in an impressive outing in the Villiers, Free State race.
South African Seniors’ champion Kenny Gilbert remains unbeaten for over a year now since he first swung a leg over his Pepson Plastics Factory KX 450 X. Kenny dominated the Senior race with a handy ninth overall among the best of the young guns after another faultless ride in the sandy, rocky Free State terrain.
Former motocrosser and Kawasaki ZX9 Masters circuit series regular, Brian Bontekoning made a fine GXCC Cross Country debut with a maiden Veterans class victory aboard his Pepson Plastics Factory Kawasaki. He was backed up by team boss Iain Pepper, who rode home fifth in the class for the oldest riders in Cross Country racing.
Pepson Plastics Factory Kawasaki Racing also had a very good day at the other end of the age spectrum. Young Jake Pretorius rode home second in the under-13 85cc Juniors. He was not the only team rider to strike silver, as Jaycee Nienaber rode his KX 450 X home a fine fifth overall and second in open class OR1 Pro. OR1 teammate Taki Bogiages was tenth.
Another young gun, Wian Wentzel stepped up to OR3 with a fine debut fourth in the ultra-competitive 250cc class. Two of Pepson Plastics Factory Kawasaki Racing’s amateur riders, Kevin Sanders came home seventh, and circuit car racer Keegan Campos was 10th in OR3 Pro-Am.
“That was a positive start to the new season,” Pepson Plastics Factory Kawasaki Racing team principal Iain Pepper confirmed. “Kenny continued his winning streak, Brian arrived with a bang, and Jake, Jaycee and Wian delivered great results. “The rest of us enjoyed a mixed day everyone got home safe and we all had a ball.
“Now the preparations start for the first National at Rhino Park on the 4th of March – bring it on!”
