The Namibia Motorsport Federation (NMSF) this weekend acknowledged the sport’s top achievers and those who are going the extra mile in their contributions.
Both Dippies Dippenaar and Harald Lingner were awarded the NMSF Hall of Fame award for their unselfish contribution to Namibian motorsport.
Dippenaar, with a track record stretching over 46 years, has served in various roles, ranging from rally driver to navigator, and has earned himself several titles as national champion.
Lingner started off as an official in 1989 and handed over the reigns in 2018, serving the sport for 29 years.
Over 100 motorsport enthusiasts in eight different codes were awarded trophies for their achievements last year.
Some 18 of these acknowledgements involved women who were awarded for their roles as drivers or navigators.
‘INTEREST REMAINS’
For the first time in the history of the 4×4 Vasbyt, drivers and navigators were awarded trophies for their participation in 2024, while e-sport is also showing significant growth with several awards.
NMSF president Daniel Tjongarero at the event said there has been a decline in affiliated clubs, meaning fewer clubs are hosting events.
This is due to various factors, such as limited finances and sponsorships.
“Funny enough we have the same number of competitors in terms of the licence the NMSF issued, so the interest remains. This indicates that members are moving between the clubs, and that keeps motorsport strong,” he said.
NMSF hosted 84 events last year, and Tjongarero said hopefully this would increase with at least 25% this year.
“Some of the dormant codes are experiencing a resurgence, indicating motorsport is still around,” he said.
The president said as long as the federation can create events and platforms to compete, he is happy.
LACK OF SPONSORS
Tjongarero requested sponsors to get on board, since the NMSF embarked on several projects, aiming to ensure that young and upcoming racers are given a platform to compete.
Meanwhile, NMSF secretary general Derek Jacobs said several Namibians compete internationally due to the high standard of local tracks.
This includes Cecil Koorts (Jr), who will later this month take part in events in South Africa and Italy.
A race in the United Arab Emirates is also on the cards at the ‘Champions of the Future’ event.
Other competitors making their mark in the international arena are Guido Bidoli and Zane Beuthin, with go-karting, while Zoe Waldschmidt is currently taking part in the FIM Oceania Women’s Motocross Cup in Australia.
Jacobs said no circuit racer was awarded due to various factors beyond the federation’s control, such as safety regulations that needed to be implemented on vehicles and the Tony Rust Raceway.
WELL-EXECUTED SEASON
Some of the recipients commended their teammates and events organisers for a season well executed.
Rico Bothma, who scooped the Vasbyt Class D driver award, said: “It is wonderful to have the platform of the NMSF and the opportunity.”
Zachary Martin, who bagged the rally overall driver accolade, thanked the NMSF for a well-planned year.
Though Martin is a consistent racer, he says he always strives to be better in his racing career.
“Being able to race with my dad [Alan Martin] and also being on the podium with him for the 2024 season will always be very special to me,” he says.
Namibia’s enduro guru, Quinton ‘Z’ van Rooyen, who frequently takes part internationally in the Class 2 Pro Open category, scooped first place in his class.
“The toughest part happens behind the scenes. What we see on social media is the good-looking part, but behind the scenes deep in the mountains my competitors and I are working hard.
“We’re pushing bikes, we’re picking up bikes and we’re racing ahead, but afterwards we are still mates,” Van Rooyen said.
The results are as follows:
2024 Namibia ROK go-karting championships:
Mini rok: first: Koorts (Jr), second: Herman Schouw, third: Tony Rust.
Kid rok: first: Kristopher Koudelka, second: Petrus du Play, third: Francois Gouws.
Bambino: first: Russel Josephat, second: Gury dos Santos, third: Zian Nel.
Micro max: first: Koudelka, second: Nic Kruger, third: Joubert Espach.
Mini max: first: Nande Kaiyamo, second: Mandume Kaiyamo, third: Koorts (Jr)
Senior max: first: Kobus Reynecke, second: Kian Fussel, third: Heinrich Roos.
DD2 masters: first: Nikita Thieme, second: Beuthin dos Santos, third: Ezequiel dos Santos.
E-sport rally:
First: Richard Cilliers, second: Michel Rust, third: Andre Dippenaar.
Enduro championship:
Class-2 pro open: first: Van Rooyen, second: Corne Visser, third: Stuart Pearce.
Class-5 senior pro: first: Heiko Stranghoner, second: Horn Greiter, third: Gunther Gladis.
Class-7 intermediate: first: Brandon Juling, second: Andre Barnard, third: Frederick van Greunen.
Oval track:
Four-cylinder, eight valves: first: Jaques van Zyl, second: Chucky van Dyk, third: Herman Nasoliwiski.
V8s: first: Micheal Behnke, second: Armandt Swart, and third: Jaco van Dyk.
Motocross:
50cc: first, Carter Bouwer, second: Delmar du Plessis, third: Markus Pack.
65cc: first: Khian Kotze, second: Leander Metzger, third: Connor Bouwer.
125cc: first: Juan de Vos, second: Gerro Friederich, third: Jarno Metzger
WMX: first: Waldschmidt, second: Ronja Friederich, third: Gabrielle Still.
Vets: first: Sigi Pack, second: Olaf Pack, third: Ronald Geiger.
Open class: first: Mark Sternagel, second: Rigo Wolf, third: Tony Viljoen.
KOTD: first: Sternagel, second: De Vos, third: Gero Friederich.
Rally challenge:
Overall driver: first: Loic Bathfield, second: Ekko Eisenberg, third: Werner Bartsch.
Overall navigator: first: Johan Steyn, second: Horazio ‘Rassie’ Rietz, third: Christel Fourie.
Rally challenge class CR1: first: Eisenberg, second: Chrizelda Engels, third: Willie Schoeman.
CR1 navigator: first: Rietz, second: Chané Havenga, third: Ruan de Lange.
CR2 driver: first Bathfield, second Bartcsh, third: Jandre Dippenaar.
CR2 navigator: first: Steyn, second: Fourie, third: Gielie Visser.
Rally overall:
Driver: first: Martin, second: Pieter Greeff, third: Allan Martin.
Navigator: first: Anique Schoeman, second: JP Robinson, third: Maretha Olivier.
Driver class S4: first: Allan Martin, second: Wilro Dippenaar, third: Stephanie Botha.
Navigator S4: first: Olivier, second: Mandi Hugo.
Driver S2: first: Peer Röhm, second: Gert Coetzee, third: Wido Bartsch.
Navigator S2: Raymond Fourie.
Driver class S1: first: Greeff, second: Dewet Du Plessis, third: Richard Himmel.
Navigator class S1: first: JP Robinson, second: Adolf Botes, third: Armand Swart.
4×4 Vasbyt:
Overall driver: first: Rico Bothma, second: Nico Theron, third: JR la Cock.
Overall co-driver: first: Jossie Maritz, second: Herman Theron, third: Simone Potgieter.
Driver class C: first: Bothma, second: Morne Oosthuizen, third: Floris Steenkamp (Jr).
Co-driver class C: first: Maritz, second: Richard Owen, third: Floris Steenkamp (Sr).
Driver class D: first: Theron, second: La Cock, third: Ewan Mans.
Co-driver class D: first: Theron, second: Potgieter, third: Chantrice Harper.
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