TUTU  IN WINDHOEK

Riding In two foot-deep sand, Kenya’s sole representative Tutu Maina finished 9th overall out of 20 riders on the newly designed racetrack at Gallina Motocross Park situated in the outskirts of Windhoek city.

But his experience in the “Full Throttle AMU” in Namibia on Sunday June 28th was extremely energy sapping with rough and quick riders to tackle. Incidentally, Tutu’s bike just sunk-up to the chain and that was AMU challenge in the desert sand dunes. With extremely quick MX85 and MX85seniors and MX2- such was the stress of sand riding. But Kenya finished 4th overall at MX85. Weather conditions in Windhoek was windy and chilly prompting organizers to provide hot showers for competitors. State-of-the-art technology was also the order of the day as all riders were fitted with transponders for time detection.

Though riding in 2 degrees centigrade conditions was the other challenge, Tutu was categorical with the tormenting sandy challenge. “The race was my toughest ever in my life and it was not very easy riding in deep sand. Gallina Motocross Park is something akin to day and night difference if you have to compare it with Jamhuri Park,” he confided.

Tutu was happy with indigenous Kenya foodstuffs he had carried to Windhoek including H20 purified water and bananas which he says injected energy and focus to his charge.

As in previous years, it was the Jägermeister Team from South Africa that ran away with most of the trophies, spoil sport was only Namibia’s Björn Bierbrauer in the MX2 class that hindered the total triumph of the team from south of the Orange river.

A total of seven countries namely, South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, Morocco and Zimbabwe took part. Close to 2000 spectators gathered at the venue to witness rare stunts exhibited by a field of 200 riders.  Kenya Motor Sports Foundation Chairman Maina Muturi who attended the event hailed the Namibians for good organization. Maina is the Vice Chairman of AMU in charge of Environment.

Overall AMU results:

1.     Jägermeister Team South Africa            561 points

2.     Erindi Ranch Zambia Team                      312

3.     Red Square Zimbabwe Team                  301

4.     I Dream Africa Namibia Team                265

5.     Crown Built it Uganda Team                   30

6.     Royal Tours Kenya Team              28