Houwteq Downhill Challenge Race Report

By: Seamus Allardice

Under clear skies on Sunday the 12th of May the South African longboarding fraternity gathered for the second race on the local gravity racing calendar, the Houwteq Downhill Challenge. And what a race it was, the groms went all out the ballies (the over 30’s) showed all their racing nous, but no one could touch Decio Lourenco for all out speed.

Houwteq 2013 Winners:

    
Fair Cape Downhill Challenge 2013 was a roaring success. We had almost 50 riders entering on race-day, causing a long registration process and a late start. The riders didn’t seem to be too fazed, though, as the smiles told us. We had representation from the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng and a lot of grom (Junior) riders. Over 120 riders in total competed in the racing.

RESULTS. Full results and time trials results coming soon on the website:

SAGRA PRESS RELEASE 17 FEB 2013 :

In order to facilitate the growth of gravity sports in South Africa, the South African Gravity Racing Association have been working closely with various promoters to increase the number of events on the South African Race Series for 2013. This will mean a new event format – the One Day Race – will be rolled out this year.

Our Open Downhill SA Champ for 2013, Raoul van den Berg, is one hell of a dude.  Long, flowing hair, majestic smile and happy demeanour, he is a (no pun intended) cornerstone in the SA scene and a true father in the SA Downhill Family.

Andries Haasbroek, the winner of the SA champ title in both street luge and classic luge, is a pretty rad dude. Friendly, passionate and down to earth, this skater of the lying-down variety is a true ambassador to the sport.

The luge and buttboard scene is small in South Africa, but we have some of the best riders in the world (in my opinion, of course). This close-knit crew of speed freaks regularly chase each other down a racetrack, making for pretty action-packed racing.

In such a competitive field, one had to really shine in order to secure the SA Champ title. Andries Haasbroek is that person.

Andries!

Hi! 

Being a Pretoria local, what do you think of Johannesburg people?

GABI MURRAY-ROBERTS INTERVIEW

The Ladies contingent of our racing participation is still very small, but growing steadily. What the ladies scene lacks in size, Gabi makes up for in impact!

Gabi is one hell of a person – this little operator assumes a very large volume of work and responsibility for Sagra, while winning races and maintaining her professional career with it.

She is a key person in the scene, is in a romantic relationship with a prawn, and is a good friend of mine.

CAMDEN LATEGAN INTERVIEW

Camden is a little shit. This ginger grom is always up to mischief, with too much energy for his own good. And this is why he is my hero.

I met Camden a few years ago, when he was still an unbelievably minute little nano-grom. He was a bit light to really shine, and in retrospect I think too young to actually compete.

A few races down the line, Camden had grown to a full-fledged competitor. Complete with sponsors, bad-ass slides and more balls than most seniors will ever have.

If he can just pick up some weight, Camden might be unstoppable!!! With no further ado, here he is.

On sunday the 9th of December 2012 during the semi finals of the Hot Heels Africa race our friend Felipe Malaga from Peru had a very bad crash resulting in a serious head injury. He is still in a critial condition.

Felipes insurance denied covering international cost and of medical bills. This is a fund in aid of assisting his family with his medical bill.

 This account was specifically set up by Felipes family.

Our aim is to raise R250 000 (ZAR)

It is our moral duty to support our fallen comrade in any way possible. We are family and we will always keep it family.

 Join us from the 6th - 9th of December 2012 and come celebrate Hot Heels Africa's 10th year in the making.