The South African National Off-Road Motorcycle and Quad Championship will in future be run under the auspices of SANORA. SANORA administers the Donaldson Cross Country Motor Racing Championship and has now also acquired the rights to organise the South African National Off-Road Motorcycle and Quad Championship.
This is in terms of an agreement between SANORA and Motorsport South Africa (MSA), the controlling body for motorsport in South Africa, with the motorcycle and quad series previously administered by Dirt Racing Promotions.
“We are excited about the development that will be of benefit to both championships,” said SANORA chief executive officer Siegfried Rousseau. “Two separate national championships running side by side is good commercial logic for all the stakeholders and competitors.”
“The off road motorcycle and quad series is healthy and well run, and SANORA will apply the same sound business philosophy, management structures and professionalism that sets the Donaldson Championship apart from other motor racing championships in South Africa.”
Rousseau added that by taking the cross country car, motorcycle and quad championships simultaneously to the same area allowed for enhanced spectator appeal, and strengthened the economic impact on communities where events took place. The two championships will share the same venue in the first event of the year in Vryburg, in Botswana in mid-season and at Westonaria in the final event of the season.
The motorcycle and quad championship will also take in events in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. The championship will be scored over six rounds spread over the five events, with the Botswana outing counting for two rounds.
“We already have an excellent show, but by having two championships running concurrently there is a more varied mix that will appeal across the board to cross country racing enthusiasts,” Rousseau added. “It is going to be an exciting year for the car, motorcycle and quad competitors with a great deal of potential for the future.”
The aim of both championships is to create family orientated fun and adventure without compromising on strict safety measures and controls. In the interests of safety, cars and motorcycles/quads would follow different routes on events where the two championships share common ground.
MSA chief executive officer Adrian Scholtz said it was rewarding to see the off-road motorcycle and quad championship return to its original home with the cross country vehicles.
“SANORA has a proven track record, and I am sure that under their watchful eye both the Donaldson Cross Country Championship and the SA National Off-Road Motorcycle and Championship will go from strength to strength,” Scholtz added.