FINANCIAL BONANZA FOR DUNDEE AREA OF KWAZULU-NATAL
SACC Battlefields National Motorcycle and Quad Race a first for the area
The historically rich area of Dundee in KwaZulu-Natal is in for a financial bonanza with the running of the SACC Battlefields Race, round two of the National Motorcycle and Quad Cross Country Championship on May 6 and 7.
Centres and communities hosting events in the SACC National Cross Country Motorcycle and Quad Championship benefit from a major financial injection. The SACC Battlefield Race is also a selected event where a round of the KwaZulu-Natal regional and club championships will be run in conjunction with the national race and around 180 competitors will converge on Dundee and surrounding areas. Motorcycle and quad competitors last competed in this area at national level in 2014 when they raced in the Vryheid area, about 70 kilometres from Dundee with the type of racing terrain being popular with riders.
Hotels, motels, lodges, guest houses and bed and breakfast establishments are major beneficiaries as teams, family members, media and cross country enthusiasts snap up available accommodation. Filling stations, restaurants, take away outlets, entertainment facilities and small business entrepreneurs also benefit from team spending power.
“There are further spin offs in that competitors and enthusiasts are exposed to tourist attractions and the opportunities that regions offer as holiday destinations,” said SANORA CEO Siegfried Rousseau. “Cross Country competitors and enthusiasts love to explore South Africa and find new places to visit. Events like the SACC Battlefields Race expose them to new areas of possibility.”
In this respect coal rich Dundee, nestling in the Biggarsberg Mountains, offers huge potential. The area is steeped in South African history and Dundee is the central point to the Blood River and Isandlwana battlefields and Rorkes Drift, while numerous other places of historical interest are in Dundee or within easy reach of the town.
While local spectators can look forward to seeing their KwaZulu-Natal heroes in action they will also be treated to spectacular race action from the influx of national championship riders from all over South Africa and Botswana who travel to compete in these events.
Race headquarters, the start/finish and the designated service point for the SACC Battlefields Race will be at the aptly named Battlefields Country Lodge and Sports Resort approximately six kilometres from Dundee. The Time Trial, for quads and motorcycles to determine grid positions for the race, will start at 12:00 and 14:00 respectively on Friday, May 6. The main race of 300 kilometres will start at 07:00 on Saturday, May 7