by SFT | Sep 13, 2024 | St Francis
Currently leading the World Rally-Raid rankings, Ross Branch is all-in for his maiden world title. Excellent performances at the first four events of the year; Branch currently leads the rankings but needs to clinch the world title at the last event in Morocco.
What is Rally-Raid?
First of all, what is Rally-Raid? To put it in simple terms,
Rally-Raid is a form of cross-country rally racing, but it is an extended form of rally racing conducted on off-road courses that sometimes traverse across more than one country. A race can be between 3 and fifteen full days of racing. At times, drivers travel up to 900 km in a day. The winner is the driver with the lowest accumulated course time.
The World Rally-Raid tour consists of five events, with all results counting.
Currently holding 72 points, Ross only needs to finish above Ricky Brabec, who has 62 points, in the Rallye du Maroc in Morocco from October 4th to 11th.
Ross Branch © A.S.O.
Ross has a great story, starting when he was four.
“I started racing bikes at 4 in a tiny town in Botswana called Jwaneng. My dad and I used to ride every day.”
When he’s not racing, Ross is flying—literally. He is a pilot for Mack Air and spends his time in the skies over the Okavango Delta.
“I race bikes for a living and fly aeroplanes part-time when I’m not racing. I fly for a company called Mack Air in the Okavango Delta.”
Great Outdoors
The Monster Energy rider is the Great Outdoors type of person.
“I love anything outdoors, so in my spare time, we often go camping in the bush. And I love playing golf, so I still try to play whenever I get a gap.”
Exercise, diet and fitness are crucial in Rally-Raid, which Ross puts his heart into.
“Whenever I’m training, I do long-distance stuff to prepare physically and mentally. Dakar is a mental game. Diet-wise, I work with a trainer based in Portugal. Russel White. We have different diets throughout the year depending on what races are coming up.”
Ross, Monster Energy and Hero MotoSports
“I started my rally career in 2019. I did the first Dakar Rally in 2019 in Peru. Then, in 2021, I signed with the Monster Energy Yamaha World Rally-Raid Championship team.
When Yamaha decided to have a break from Rally-Raid, I was lucky enough to sign with Hero. It was a new step. I didn’t know what to expect. They were from India, and we had never seen them in off-road racing or motocross, so it was a massive step for me. We’re all family now, and the team has a great vibe.”
More action from the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge © A.S.O
A Simpl Belief
It’s a simple belief that keeps Ross on top of his game.
“I go through life with this uncomplicated motto: Never give up. Never, ever give up.”
Some serious breakneck speeds have been attained in Dakar.
“They have now put a speed limit on Dakar of 160kph, and we get to that speed quickly. But before the speed limit was introduced, we could get speeds up to 190kph.”
Ross’s Rally-Raid equipment and navigation skills put to the test.
“My Hero 450cc off-road bike weighs 180kg and has a fuel capacity of 34 litres. This allows us to cover about 280km. We use a roadbook map, and no GPS is used, so the navigation is challenging, especially if you are the first person on the road.”
The next couple of years are going to be super-exciting.
“In Rally Rally-Raid racing, if you make a small mistake with the navigation, it puts you back a long way and is hard to catch up. I have made tiny mistakes before, and that cost us dearly. Everybody is going so fast! All the guys are super strong now, and winning races is so tricky. Still, I want to be on top, that’s for sure.”
ends./
Check out the world Rally-Raid Rankings HERE
The Facebook group – Ross Branch 2024 Rally Updates
by SFT | Sep 13, 2024 | St Francis
A quick walk on the beach yesterday revealed hundreds, if not thousands, of pill bottles on the beach at Cape St Francis, along with Oreo sandwiches, tea, a few shoes, and scores of Instant Noocdle packs. A further search revealed a stash of Applie chargers, all rusted and with USA plugs.
These pills have been washing up from here to Port Alfred and are undoubtedly all over Oyster Bay.
Kouga Express published this warning – EXPRESS
Coastal Cleanup This Sunday
As more washes ashore this weekend, the Kromme Enviro Trust are having a coastal; clean-up.
We’re excited to invite you to participate in the International Coastal Clean-Up Day on Sunday 15thSeptember. This global event is our chance to make a significant impact on the health of our oceans and coastlines.
Why Your Support Matters:
- Protect Marine Life: Rubbish and pollutants threaten ocean creatures and habitats. By participating, you’re helping to remove these dangers and ensure a safer environment for marine wildlife.
- Preserve Natural Beauty: Clean coasts enhance the beauty of our beaches and waterways, making them enjoyable for everyone and supporting local tourism.
- Make a Difference Locally: Your efforts will directly benefit our local beaches and waterways.
Feel free to bring your family, friends, and even your dog! This is a fantastic opportunity for everyone to get involved, enjoy some fresh air, and contribute to a cause that benefits us all.
Eco Kids are also welcome and we will have prizes for the youngsters that are collecting rubbish.
Event Details:
Date: Sunday 15th September – weather permitting, watch social media for updates
Time: 9am – 12 noon
Meeting Point: The Kromme Enviro Trust along with other local groups will be at the following locations handing out bags and collecting the rubbish that is gathered:
– The Lighthouse in Cape St Francis,
– Bruces on Harbour Road
– The Wildside car park
by SFT | Sep 13, 2024 | St Francis
Kouga – It is time to put your best paw forward this month – all for a worthy cause.
Get ready to strut your stuff and show off your furry friend in the Best Dressed Doggo Show hosted by St Francis Animal Rescue (SFAR) on 28 September 2024 at 14:00. An event guaranteed to get the tails wagging.
This fun-filled event is set to be a highlight of the annual Calamari Festival, running from 20 – 28 September 2024 in St Francis Bay, the Calamari Capital of South Africa.
From stylish pups to talented tricksters, there’s a category for every four-legged star. Whether your dog rocks a costume or you both nail the lookalike contest, prepare for fun, laughter, and awesome prizes.
Show off your four-legged friend
Awesome prizes will be up for grabs in the following categories:
- Best Dressed Dog
- Best Dog/Owner Lookalike
- Best Tricks
- Best Dog on Show.
The event will be held at the Main Tent of the Calamari Festival.
Entry is R150 per dog, with a variety of dog gifts available for purchase.
For more information about this paw-some opportunity to enjoy a day of fun for a great cause, visit the Calamari Festival website at www.calamarifestival.co.za. Alternatively, follow the Calamari Festival on Facebook and Instagram.
See also: Suits and Bikini Surfers Collide – Photo Of The Day
by SFT | Sep 13, 2024 | St Francis
Kouga – If you are craving adventure and breathtaking views, the Chokka Trail offers a special 12km one-day hike into the iconic sand dunes, locally known as the Sand River on Thursday, 26 September 2024.
The event forms part of the annual Calamari Festival that will take place from 20 – 28 September 2024 in St Francis Bay – the Calamari Capital of South Africa.
Your adventure kicks off at the Dune Ridge Country House, where coffee, tea, and freshly baked muffins await at 08:00 to fuel your journey.
Epic Sand Dune Hike
By 09:00, the real fun begins as hikers take on the first 6km of the route, meandering through the Eskom conservation reserve before plunging into the vast, rolling dunefield.
Midway through the dunes, a picnic-style lunch provides the perfect break to soak in the beauty before tackling the second half of the hike. “There are plenty of water pools in the dunes right now, so there is a good chance of getting wet – come ready for a splash,” laughs Esti Stewart, organiser and Chokka Trail guide.
This thrilling day hike is part of the award-winning Chokka Trail – a 4-day, 3-night slackpack trek covering 62km of stunning coastal scenery between Oyster Bay, St Francis Bay, and Cape St Francis.
More information
To secure your spot on this exciting dune adventure, be sure to book by 12:00 on Tuesday, 24 September. The cost is R380 per person. To book, contact Esti Stewart at 073 825 0835 (WhatsApp only) or send an email to chokkatrail@gmail.com.
For more information about the Calamari Festival, visit their website at www.calamarifestival.co.za. Alternatively, follow the Calamari Festival on Facebook and Instagram.
See also: St Francis The Calamari Capital Of South Africa
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