Franchise Co Tork Craft Honda Wing Racing came back from Ganyesa’s South African Cross Country desert doubleheader over the weekend clutching multiple wins, podiums and even a 2023 Trademore South African championship.
“Franchise Co Tork Craft Honda Wing Racing enjoyed another exceptional weekend in the third and fourth round desert doubleheader in the Northwest,” team principal Harry Grobler explained. “Not only did young Murray Smith take a double Junior win to come away as the 2023 South African 85 cc champion, but Mike Pentecost won Sunday’s OR1 race, Kobus Jonck took Masters honours, and several riders delivered podium finishes with great performances across the board.
“Most significantly, we have a National Champion in Murray who wrapped it up in style with a double victory at Ganyesa. That was a legendary effort all season long that took so many hours of training and dedication. Now it’s paid off with such a greatly deserved title. Well done Champ, you have made us so proud!”
Mike Pentecost was another rider to deliver a stunning performance with second in OR1 and fourth overall on Friday, before the class win and a fine second overall on Saturday. “Mike really came out of his corner fighting on Saturday to bring home a brilliant open-class victory,” Grobler pointed out. “He has been on point all season and was right in the fight for the overall win all day Saturday. Mike’s class win is a great reward for a solid effort.”
Honda’s pot also flowed over in the senior classes, as Kobus Jonck delivered a fine Masters win on Saturday following a solid ride to fourth on Friday on his maiden outing for the Franchise Co Tork Craft Honda Wing Racing. Lourens Mahoney and Wynand Delport meanwhile rode home second and third in Seniors on both days, but Mahoney’s Saturday performance was most notable. “Fifth overall in this company is big news,” Harry Grobler admitted. “This is surely a sign of great things to come from the legend Louwrens!”
Franchise Co Tork Craft Honda Wing Racing’s 250 cc gang also enjoyed a great outing at Ganyesa. Class championship leader Haydn Cole was the best of them on Friday as he rode home fourth in OR3 and 11th overall with Tyron Beverley and John Botha fifth and sixth in class. Tyron then went one better with a podium third overall on Saturday in an impressive ninth overall, while young gun Noah Maartens and Haydn Cole came in fifth and sixth with John Botha eighth.
“All in all, Franchise Co Tork Craft Honda Wing Racing enjoyed an excellent outing in the Trademore South African Cross Country championship’s Ganyesa desert doubleheader National,” Harry Grobler concluded. “We are so proud of our new champion Murray, our race winners, podium finishers and every single member of our incredible team. Our next national is the season finale in Bloemfontein, where we will wrap it up with pride. Well done team!
