There's a new kid on the block. Namibian quad racer Dirkie Baard (Honda) became the first non-South African racer to win the Quad Roof of Africa in Lesotho. It was Baard's second try and he managed to add his name to the record books after one of the toughest Roof of Africa events for quad racers.
Baard started the last day of the three-day event in fourth place, 15 minutes behind the leader, Brian Baragwanath (Yamaha). Baragwanath lost time with a puncture after the last fuel stop on the way to the finish, giving Baard an opportunity to overtake him and score the chequered flag just outside Roma in Lesotho.
The 20-year-old from Walvis Bay now lives in South Africa. He fulfilled his lifelong dream by winning the Quad Roof of Africa and the 2009 event will go down in history as one of the most difficult races ever. The track was comprised of almost 590km of rugged terrain in the mountains of Lesotho.
Baragwanath, the runner-up in 2008 as well, had an almost trouble-free event and was followed by another Honda-racer, Juan Coetzee, who competed in his second Lesotho event. He had a few punctures and his Honda's nerf bars broke off, but the 19-year-old Kinross rider persevered and rounded off the podium.
Only 18 competitors completed the full race distance - Danie Coetzer (KTM525XC), who competed in his fourth Lesotho event, rounded off the top ten when he completed his first Roof of Africa. He was third in the Open Class.
Veteran racer Paul Chomse (Yamaha) won the Senior Class and was 11th; Clinton Petersen (Polaris Outlaw) was 14th, followed by Willie du Preez (Yamaha); Clive Crause (Yamaha) was second in the Senior Class and 16th overall.
The Master Class was won by Jurie Meyer (Yamaha). Dean Blom (KTM) was second and the 2009 Master Class winner, Milton Thesen (Polaris) was third after experiencing minor mechanical problems. The family affair was rounded off by Swanepoel's dad, Peet (Yamaha), who finished seventh.