Moto-x world champ in action in Durban
21 November 2008
Newly crowned International Motorcycling Federation MX2 world champion Tyla Rattray is set to give his hometown fans a taste of the form that secured him his first world title this year when he participates in the Fox Sin City Shootout at the Springfield Dirt Mania Circuit in Durban on Sunday 23 November.
It will be Rattray's final action of the year before he takes well-deserved break ahead of his preparation for the 2009 Grand Prix season, and a move to the highly competitive MX1 class.
The Fox Shootout incorporates a unique "skins" format, along with a mixed-class tag team event.
Prize money
With a minimum of R30 000 cash up for grabs, it promises to deliver some high-action racing, with top riders battling it out for the lion's share of the prize money.
Rattray is set to face a tough challenge. Besides the world champion, the field includes former SA high schools champion Lloyd Vercuiel, fresh off a season campaigning on the German national circuit, 2007 South African Champion Kerim Fitzgerald, this year's runner up in the national championship Michael Kok, Durban hopefuls Jared Umpleby and Sean Ford, and Botswana's Ross Branch.
With the shootout format pitting four riders against each other for only five laps of the specially-prepared Springfield circuit, riders will be looking for maximum speed with no concerns regarding fatigue, so racing action is bound to be fast and furious.
Roulette
The winners of each heat in each division will then take to the Suncoast Casino Roulette table to determine their winnings, and along with the heat runner-up will advance to the following round.
The Tag Team event will see one rider from each of the seven categories team up in a race for cash. Each rider will have to complete five laps before tagging a team mate and releasing him onto the track.
It marks the first time this unique and exciting format will be utilized in South Africa and is bound to see some serious bar-to-bar encounters and lots of overtaking.
Practice will start at 10am on Sunday morning, with racing getting under way around 11am. Entry for all spectators is free.
SAinfo reporter
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