MOTOCROSS SEASON KICKS-OFF AT JAMHURI PARK ON JAN 22

The 2012 Motocross season kicks-off at Jamhuri Park on January 22 with East African Motor Sports Club (EAMSC) hosting the opening round of the eight races scheduled for this year. The season is expected to produce lots of excitement with renewed rivalry in some classes and with some of the younger riders being elevated to higher classes. No one knows what up the sleeves of reigning MX85 Champion Apollo Mbuki, but that will be known on Sunday when the youngster moves on to the competitive MX125 class.

Shivam Vinayak, the two time national MX1 Class champion will have a royal battle stacked against him as he tries to make his second title defense. He will have to step up a gear if he wishes to hold of the challenge of the likes of Motocross Captain Anthony Nielsen, Franco Checchni and the rest. Charles Mugo has opted out of the race due to pressing commitments. Others expected to ride in the MX1 class are Moses Mugo, Jorgen Nielsen and David Lawrence Brown.

The go-getting MX2 rider Cruze “Control” Muigai will be missed by spectators as he is a notable absentee in Sunday’s meeting. Muigai better known as "Cruse Control" is set to proceed for further studies later in the year and has planned to do selected races. Tutu Maina who is staying in MX2 this season is calling for sponsors and well wishers to salvage his participation. All the MX50 riders are staying save for outgoing Champion Maina Wanjigi who is graduating to MX65.

The MX50 has the likes of Jesse Waithaka, Dekker Kihara, Xavian Walimohammed, Nicholas Molyneux, Dylan Mutahi, Tai Wahome and Tendo Karago. The MX65 speedster Rolf Kihara is also staying in MX65 and so are the likes of Jeremy Waithaka, Owain Ashley, Mohammed Anwar, Allister Diniz, Nikita Semi while Ngugi Waweru moves to MX85. Kihara is the current Champion in MX65 class, but will have to fight every inch of the way against a very much improved Waithaka who won three rounds last year.

Ivan Guya is expected to show off his skills in this class with his KTM as he graduates to MX2. Guya, the outgoing MX125 Champion has come to terms with his new bike and can pose a serious championship threat on his day. Others newcomers in MX2 class are class are Adil Khan and Eugene Maina. The 85 cc class should be a Samir Anwar affair with reigning champion Mbuki now moving up the ranks. Muthandi Wanjigi moves from MX85 to MX125 and so are Karan Sehmi and Masalule Kituyi. Ivan Guya should fight it out with Tutu Maina in the MX2 as well as Mwai Kibaki junior who is joining this group. Jesse Waithaka, is set to dominate the MX50 after Wanjigi’s graduation to MX2.

2012 MOTOCROSS CALENDAR

Jan 22: Round 1 (EAMSC)

March 4: Round 2 (EAMSC)

April 1: Round 3 (RVM&SC)

May 6: Round 4 (EAMSC)

July 1: Round 5 (KMSC)

Sep 2: Round 6 (RVMSC)

Oct 14: Round 7 (EAMSC)

Nov 11: Round 8 (EAMSC)