Cape Town Youth is National Quad Bike Champion

Nicolai Geerdts (14), a Grade 8 learner at De Kuilen High School, beat 25 finalists out of 120 participants in a nationwide competition organised by Motorsport SA (MSA).

The event consisted of six rounds, which took place across four provinces, namely Illovo and Hluhluwe in KwaZulu Natal, Heidelberg in Gauteng, Tweespruit and Vredefort in Free State, and Winterberg, Hankey in the Eastern Cape.

"It was extremely tough and I had to really concentrate and 'vasbyt'. The events took place in rough terrain consisting of dirt roads, bushes, rocks and rivers," says Nicolai.

"We are extremely proud of Nicolai," says parents, Arthur and Alana Geerdts.

"He got his first quad bike in August 2005 and would join me when I took part in races until the end of 2006. It was obvious that he enjoyed every single moment and displayed a talent for the sport," says Arthur.

In October 2005, he entered his first race, ending fourth. In 2006, he came third in the MSA regional championships.

"Nicolai is a member of the Western Province All Terrain Vehicle (WPATV) club which regularly organises races strictly according to environmental regulations. Unfortunately quad biking has been given a bad name because of 'social' riders who don't respect the environment and trespass over properties," says Arthur.

'"There is a wide range of officially approved four wheel courses in the Western Cape. These include Melkbos4x4, Zone 7, Weltevreden, Takbok4x4, Malmesbury, Kalamazu near Grabouw and many more. By joining an MSA affiliated quad club, one is able to access new venues," he says.

Next year, the national off-road championship will be held for the first time in the Western Cape. On 17 May 2008, the WPATV will host one of the rounds of the Junior Championships for four-wheel vehicles and motorbikes.

"The sport enjoys extensive television coverage and it's important that the event comes to Cape Town as this will help generate valuable tourism revenue," says ward councillor Pieter van Dalen.

"I'd like to congratulate Nikolai, and encourage him to continue to excel in this sport and to practise this responsibly as an example to others," says Pieter.

"The City of Cape Town discourages illegal quad biking that may give rise to damage to property, or pose a danger to other road users, pedestrians and quad bikers themselves. It does however support the use of established facilities for the sport and encourages the quad biking fraternity to use these," says Cllr Heather Brenner, co-ordinator of the City's Quad Biking Task Group.

Western Province All Terrain Vehicle Club: http://www.wpatv.co.za/