AMU: Jacques Struwig Richmond preview

JACQUES "BOESMAN" STRUWIG READY TO DEFEND AMU / BAJA TITLE

Jacques "Boesman" Struwig, racing for the Southern ATV off-road racing team, is ready to defend his 2004 AMU Baja title this weekend when he participates in the 2005 African Motorcycle Union (AMU) Enduro / Baja Championship in the Richmond area, KwaZulu-Natal.

Struwig, who won the Open Quad Class (Class 5) last year in Kenia when he lapped all the riders in this class, would like to win again this year. His fellow South African team-mates - Brendan Badenhorst, Hendrik Potgieter, Carl Wichmann and Tiaan Reynecke - will be his biggest opposition while other competition will be from riders from Zambia and Namibia.

Although Struwig has experienced some bad luck so far in the ATV Powersport ITP national off-road championship where he is currently lying eighth overall, he is hoping that his luck will turn with this international event.

"We are going to the AMU Enduro / Baja to win and I am confident that the problems with my YFZ450 are now something of the past," Struwig said. "Last year we had to adapt quickly to the different weather conditions and terrain in Kenia as well as to the different type of racing. I prefer endurance racing and had to get used to stopping between racing sections for a certain amount of time. At least this year I know what to expect," he concluded.

Quad riders will race on a different route than the motorcycle riders and will have to complete a 40km loop three times. The two riders in the team with the best times will score points for their country while an individual class champion will also be awarded. South Africa has also entered a five- member motorbike team in Class 1 (200cc); Class 2 (250cc) and Class 3 (Open) as well as four riders in Class 4 (Sportsmans Quads).

The 2005 AMU Enduro / Baja, this year organised by the Natal WFO Enduro Association, will start on Friday, May 13, with documentation and scrutineering under the watchfull eyes of FIM-registered observers. The starting order will be determined by a draw and on Saturday, May 14, the first AMU Enduro / Baja motorbike competitor will start the race at 08h00 with the AMU Quads after them.

-tsatv-