South Africa's finest motorsport champions honoured by Motorsport South Africa

The who's who in the motorsport world congregated on Sunday 5 February to pay tribute to South Africa's finest motorsport champions at the glittering annual Motorsport South Africa (MSA) 2022 Gala Awards evening held at the Thaba Eco Hotel.

As in previous years, this was an illustrious gathering of the best of the best in motorsport celebrating excellence on two wheels and four, on tarmac and gravel. MSA paid tribute to the veterans, and to the newcomers and icons that have consistently brought their fans all the thrills and spills of motorsport in 2022, from the track to the Dakar. 

Anton Roux, Chairman of Motorsport South Africa (MSA),  opened the proceedings. Significantly since MSA's most recent national awards function in December 2019, there have been 810 events with a total of 60 226 participants. "Motorsport in South Africa is showing an encouraging post-Covid recovery and the competitors sitting here tonight represent the pinnacle of these events," he said. Roux also paid special tribute to the spouses, parents and guardians. "Motorsport is a team sport and I thank each and all of you for your commitment to our sport." 

52 Champions in total received awards, 30 Protea Colours were awarded, eight Special Awards were given out and five Golden Helmet awards celebrated. In addition, awards for Photographer of the Year and Environmental Project of the Year were given to recipients ranging between six and 70 years old!

Roux says both two and four wheeled vehicle manufacturers, who play a pivotal role and make a huge contribution to motorsport, are equally important at the glitzy affair and it was an honour to recognise so many top brands this year.  

The Champions category, which recognises motorsport future talent was again well looked after with champions of school-going age receiving their spoils for performances in the enduro, motocross and karting disciplines.

MSA's highest form of recognition, the Golden Helmet Award, is bestowed upon individuals for exceptional achievements in, or contributions to, motorsport over several decades. Previous recipients include South African motorsport legends such as Geoff Mortimer and Ben Morgenrood. "This year we were exceptionally proud to give the award to four worthy recipients namely Charmaine Fortune, Ian Topliss, Robert Marle and Tjaart Joubert," Roux says. 

Charmaine has been involved in motorsport almost her whole life and has been integrally involved in Public Relations and Marketing for various teams and organisations on and off circuit. 

Ian's accomplishments in Motocross are exceptional, having won 11 South African Championships as well as a number of Regional Championships and FIM AFRICA Championships. He has also represented South Africa at international events. Although he retired in 2021, he is still an avid track supporter and mentor to many. 

Robert, affectionately known as "Bob" has a proud 61-year history as an official of motorsport. It is almost impossible to list the many achievements in his illustrious career. Some highlights including serving on the MSA Western Cape Regional Committee for seven years and serving on the Western Cape Rally Sub-Committee since MSA was on the Foreshore. His continual assistance in the organisation of rallies has proven critical in allowing the Western Cape Rally Championship to not only survive, but flourish. MSA acknowledges Bob's dedicated endless hours of training and assistance to anyone competing, or to other officials.

Finally, Tjaart has been a servant of SA Motorsport for the past 26 years and is the heart and soul of Formula-M racing. He was selected Club Chairman in 2000 and has since been re-elected 22 times. Although his involvement in motor racing has centred around single-seater racing, over the years he has had the privilege of taking on other motorsport roles including Scrutineer, Assistant Clerk of the Course at Rustenburg Oval and Club Steward at Zwartkops Raceway.

"Eight members of the South African motorsport community received MSA Special Awards for outstanding feats on the international stage or in recognition of their significant contribution to the sport.

"We were really excited to also hand over 30 Protea Colours blazers. This is the highest accolade that can be achieved in South African motorsport and is associated with noteworthy performances by local competitors against international competition. The recipients all needed to meet rigorous nomination criteria and we applaud them on their outstanding achievements."

One of the highlights of the evening is always awarding the talent behind the lens that captured the stand-out photo of the year.

Roux explains the Steve Wicks Motorsport Photographer of the Year, named after the well-known late motorsport photographer, is voted for by members of the motorsport community and the winning photographer receives the floating trophy for an image that best encapsulates the drama, spectacle and action motorsport provides. This year's winner was Frikkie Stroh from Gauteng.

Finally, the Environmental Project of the Year was awarded to the MSA MX Junior team, which won the FIM's Ride Green environmental award in Finland during 2022. 

"Despite all the challenges facing the country, 2022 was an exceptional year for local motorsport, and we thank every contributor, whether behind the wheel or handlebars, on the track or in the background, for keeping motorsport great. There was so much to celebrate at our Gala Awards. We sincerely thank all of our competitors, their families, teams, sponsors, event organisers, promoters, race officials, volunteers and members of the media without which both motorsport, and the declaration of champions, would not be possible," concludes Roux.

 

JUNIOR COLOURS

• Mika Abrahams
• Kyle Brunette
• Klayden-Cole Ensor-Smith
• Ronald Graven
• Kabelo Ledwaba
• Ethan Lennon
• Ross Mackenzie
• Cruz Martin
• Lou Rademeyer
• Aiden Retief
• Luviwe Sambudla
• Casey Tilley
• Trent Valsecchi
• Caden Weise

---

SENIOR COLOURS

• Blaze Baker
• Callan Broskie
• Leonard Cremer
• Cheyenne De Lima
• Josh Le Roux
• Ruche Moodley
• Charan Moore
• Dennis Murphy
• Joseph Oelz
• Jayden Proctor
• Daniel Stassen
• Julian Van Der Watt
• Shameer Variawa
• Jarrod Waberski
• Sheldon Watkins
• Petrus (Pieter) Zeelie

---

KARTING

• 2020 SA National Kid Rok Karting Champion - Tshepang Shisinwana
• 2022 SA National Bambino Karting Champion - Noah Cronje
• 2022 SA National Kid Rok Karting Champion - Jack Moore
• 2022 SA National Mini Rok Karting Champion - Ethan Lennon
• 2022 SA National Okj Karting Champion - Klayden-Cole Ensor-Smith
• 2022 SA National Kz2 Karting Champion - Joshua Coertze

---

                   

MOTOCROSS

• 2022 SA National Motocross Mx 50cc Champion - Lou Rademeyer
• 2022 SA National Motocross Mx 65cc Champion - Evan Frost
• 2022 SA National Motocross Mx 85cc Champion - Trey Cox
• 2022 SA National Motocross Mx High School Champion - Luke Grundy
• 2022 SA National Motocross Mx 1 Champion - Tristan Purdon
• 2022 SA National Motocross Mx 2 Champion - Cameron Durow
• 2022 SA National Motocross Mx 3 Champion - Dean Wheeler
• 2022 SA National Motocross Manufacturer - KTM

---

ENDURO

• 2022 SA National Enduro J1 High School Champion - Luke Walker
• 2022 SA National Enduro J2 Junior Pro Champion - James Moore
• 2022 SA National Enduro J3 Junior Champion - Damon Garrell
• 2022 SA National Enduro E1 Champion - Dylan Jones
• 2022 SA National Enduro E2 Champion - Brett Swanepoel
• 2022 SA National Enduro Manufacturer - KTM 

---

EXTREME ENDURO

• 2022 SA National Extreme Enduro J1 High School Champion - Luke Walker
• 2022 SA National Extreme Enduro J2 Junior Pro Champion - James Moore
• 2022 SA National Extreme Enduro E2 Champion - Travis Teasdale
• 2022 SA National Extreme Enduro Manufacturer - KTM

---

CROSS COUNTRY MOTORCYCLE

• 2022 SA National Cross Country Mcycle Junior Champion - Brandon Clarke
• 2022 SA National Cross Country Mcycle High School Champion - Wian Wentzel
• 2022 SA National Cross Country Mcycle Or1 Champion - Michael Pentecost
• 2022 SA National Cross Country Mcycle Or2 Champion - Brett Swanepoel
• 2022 SA National Cross Country Mcycle Or3 Champion - Matthew Wilson
• 2022 SA National Cross Country Mcycle Seniors Champion - Kenneth Gilbert
• 2022 SA National Cross Country Mcycle Masters Champion - Carel Le Roux
• 2022 SA National Cross Country Mcycle Manufacturer - KTM   

---

RALLY

• 2022 SA National Rally Champion:  Driver - Chris Coertse
• 2022 SA National Rally Champion:  Co-Driver - Greg Godrich

---

SINGLE SEATER & SALOON CAR

• 2022 SA National Formula 1600 Champion - Josh Le Roux
• 2022 SA National Polo Cup Champion - Clinton Bezuidenhout
• 2022 SA National GT Champion - Silvio Scribante
• 2022 SA National GT Sprint Champion - Greg Parton
• 2022 SA National GTC Supacup Champion - Leyton Fourie
• 2022 SA National GTC Champion - Robert Wolk
• 2022 SA National GTC Manufacturer Champion - Toyota

---

RALLY RAID

• 2022 SA National Rally Raid Special Vehicle Champion:  Driver - Tim Howes
• 2022 SA National Rally Raid Special Vehicle Champion:  Navigator - Gary Campbell
• 2022 SA National Rally Raid Production Vehicle Champion:  Driver - Giniel De Villiers
• 2022 SA National Rally Raid Production Vehicle Champion:  Navigator - Brett Cummings
• 2022 SA National Rally Raid Class G Champion:  Driver - Werner Mostert
• 2022 SA National Rally Raid Class G Champion:  Navigator - Ian Mostert
• 2022 SA National Rally Raid Class T1 Champion:  Driver - Eben Basson
• 2022 SA National Rally Raid Class T1 Champion:  Navigator - Leander Pienaar
• 2022 SA National Rally Raid Class T1+ Champion:  Driver - Giniel De Villiers
• 2022 SA National Rally Raid Class T1+ Champion:  Navigator - Brett Cummings
• 2022 SA National Rally Raid Manufacturer - Toyota    

---

STEVE WICKS PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

• Frikkie Stroh

---

MSA ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD

• MSA MX Junior Team

---

MSA SPECIAL AWARDS

• Mackie Adlem
• Rikus Fourie
• Matthew Green
• William (Wammy) Haddad
• Johan Pretorius
• Neville Townsend
• Sheldon Van Der Linde
• Toyota Gazoo Racing

---

THE GOLDEN HELMET AWARDS

• Charmaine Fortune
• Ian Topliss
• Robert Marle
• Tjaart Joubert

---

PREPARED ON BEHALF OF MSA BY CATHY FINDLEY PR.