Dirt an Trail July 2022

To expand their reach and engage with more
young riders, RTR also works with other wellknown
pro-riders to coach some sessions
(like “Taki” Bogiages from the Pepson Plastics
Kawasaki Motul Team and Technical Manager at
Motul) at different tracks around SA.
In addition to receiving training, students get
logistical support at races and events. The RTR
offering has already attracted 80 riders with 35
actively racing - National MX, Regionals, Inland
series, and Enduro across SA. Recently young
riders from neighbouring Botswana have joined
the academy choosing to travel to SA for training.
“We’re delighted about the response to Ride
Train Race from young riders and their parents,”
commented Tony and Ryan. “It’s extremely
rewarding to see how well our efforts to give back
have been received, and we’re excited to see our
young mentees develop and progress in their
riding ability,” they added.
Katelyn Pretorius part of the junior Pepson Plastics Kawasaki Motul team and
curently signed up to Ride Train Race.
“At Motul we are passionate about making
motorsports more welcoming and more diverse,”
commented Mercia Jansen, Motul Area Manager
for Southern and Eastern Africa and the Indian
Ocean. “We’re delighted to have the opportunity
to help nurture riding enthusiasts, whether they
are future world champions or weekend warriors,
as well as the trainers who are making it happen,”
she added.
The best way to understand what makes Ride
Train Race so special is to hear from some of
their riders:
Qhamani ‘Q’ Thu
Rayden Woolls
Zoe Botha
• Qhamani ‘Q’ Thu (8 years old), MX,
currently racing in WOMSA Inlands, MSA
Regionals and Nationals. When asked about the
sport, Q commented that, “Dirt biking needs a lot
of concentration and dedication, so be brave, stay
calm and enjoy the sport.”
• Katelyn Pretorius (12 years old) offroad,
currently 7th in National Cross-Country and 9th
in GXCC says that, “Making friends with kids who
have the same interests, improving ourselves and
motivating each other to become better riders
is what I enjoy most about being part of the RTR
academy.”
• Rayden Woolls (9 years old), Offroad,
Current standing in championships: 1st MSA
Free State Regional Championship, 1st MSA
Northern Regions Regional Championship, 3rd
MSA National Championship. Rayden described
his best moment this year as, “Being chosen to
represent South Africa once again in the 2022 FIM
Africa MXOAN (Motocross of African Nations)
event”.
• Zoe Jae Botha (14 years old), MX,
WOMSA Inlands, MSA Regionals and Nationals,
has this advice for any child wanting to take up
the sport, “Start joining the racing community at a
young age and don’t give up when it gets hard!”
Any young rider keen to join RTR should ask their
parents to DM Ride Train Race via their Instagram
page: https://www.instagram.com/ridetrainrace/
Springbok Motocross legend and former MX
champion Tony Riddell heads up Ride Train
Race with Ryan Hunt, taken by Dean Woollss.