South Africa has produced a number of motocross stars

that have made a name for themselves on the international

circuit through the years. More recently, a few of the

names that come to mind are Tyla Ratray, Grant Langston,

Anthony Raynard, Caleb Tennant and Gareth Swanepoel.

www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 1

inACTION: Words & Photos by Zygmund Brodalka

SA dream team

- rising stars

Kerim Fritz-Gerald

2 • DO IT NOW Magazine June | July 2012

Today there are three new young guns that are establishing

a reputation for themselves both locally and abroad, and

they are Justin Sangster (KTM 50cc), Calvin Vlaanderen

(KTM 125cc) and Kerim Fritz-Gerald (on his KTM in MX 1

and MX 2).

Justin Sangster is the youngest at just nine years old. He

hails from Cape Town's CTMX Motocross Club and has

only been racing motocross for four years. His introduction

to the sport was through friends of his parents, who were

looking for something for their sons to do recreationally.

There's no doubt that Justin is a star in the making and the

proof is in his performances and ranking. He is currently

leading the point standings in the South African Full Throttle

National Championship in the 50cc Class on his #4 KTM.

Furthermore, Justin has been invited to race at the Junior

World Championship in Holland at Bokol this year. Being

invited means that he automatically qualifies and will race

in the main event. This is a great honour and an opportunity

not afforded to many. He will be racing in the 65cc B Class

because he is new comer. The A Class is for the pro riders,

but I’m sure it won't be long before Justin is chomping at

the heels of the pros. What makes Justin stand out is that

he is a solid, calculated rider with good gate pickings. His

climb to the number-one spot has not been an easy one

and he has had to battle it out against strong competition

throughout the season.

Also in the spotlight is Calvin Vlaanderen, and it’s been a

while since we've seen a rider from the Western Cape take

on the big, wide world. The last champion from Cape Town

was Paul Cooper, a five-time British Motocross Champion.

Calvin, a 15 year old from CTMX, has been flying the SA

flag high and we can all be very proud of his achievements.

Calvin left our shores after the first round of the Full

Throttle Nationals at Sun City to race in Holland, under the

auspices of Bobo Schmidt. The esteemed Schmidt noticed

him last year at the Junior World Championship in Italy,

where he had an awesome ride and came 10th overall.

When you consider that he didn't have much international

experience, nor of the European tracks, this was a fantastic

achievement. Calvin is currently racing in the ONK Dutch

Championships and has competed in two of the four races

to date. In the first race in Halle, he surprised everybody

with a win in Moto 1 and Moto 2. He missed the next race

and had to sit out the third race due to back problems. In

the fourth race Calvin clocked the fourth fastest qualifying

time on his 125cc KTM. As the only South African, he was

just 0.6 seconds slower than the pole position holder,

with two riders in between. What a race that must have

been! Claiming two second place finishes, Calvin came in

second overall on the day. With two races under his belt

thus far, he has done incredibly well to hoist himself into

ninth position on the championship standings. The future

is bright for this reserved but pleasant young man, and in

time I am certain that Calvin has the potential to bring us

home a title.

Last but not least is 25-year-old Kerim Fritz-Gerald from

Johannesburg, one of our most talented riders in MX1

and MX2. Having raced in Canada for a year, he has put

his international experience to good use upon returning

to South Africa and is leading the MX2 Class and the

reigning champion. Kerim is also currently racing in the

States, in the AMA outdoor season, but came back for the

Full Throttle Nationals held in Cape Town in April, before

jetting back to the USA. Says Kerim, "Racing in the AMA

Motocross Outdoor Championship is a once-in-a-lifetime

opportunity and I'll give it my best. It will be a different ball

game racing against those yanks." Kerim will be racing in

the MX2 and MX Lites Class (in SA we call this MX1) and

is going into this with an open mind. He would love to

learn more from his local heroes, Tyla and Swani, who are

also racing in the States. Giz or Kermie, as he is otherwise

known, has got what it takes to go all the way.

Justin, Calvin and Kerim, your time has

come! With your unmistakable style,

stamina and determination I am confident

that you will follow in the footsteps of

our other South African greats and

make us all proud. •

Kerim Fritz-Gerald leading in Bloemfontein

www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 3

Justin Sangster up the step up

Justin Sangsteron his 65cc

Calvin VlaanderenMr Brodalka

Calvin over the tunnel jump