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Barely a month after competing in the Motocross of Nations (MXoN) in Italy and winning his ninth South African Motocross title, 29-year-old South African rider, Kerim Fitz-Gerald, is already in California, USA, where he will take on some of the world’s toughest competitors in the Red Bull Straight Rhythm event on Saturday, October 22.
Red Bull Straight Rhythm is an evolution of the Supercross format where riders race on a half-mile long unwound track. Now in its third consecutive year, the event showcases 24 riders divided into two classes with 16 participating in the Open Class and eight riders in the Lites Class (250 cc or less). This year will see a revised format with practice, qualifying and finals all taking place on one day under night lights.
Fitz-Gerald, a member of Team Red Bull KTM, is set to face off against well-known international riders Shane McElrath, Dakota Alix and Josh Hill in the Lites Class at Fairplex in Pomona, Santa Monica.
Commenting on the unique track from California, Fitz-Gerald said he was trying to get as much practice in before the big race on Saturday.
“I rode the track for most of the day on Tuesday just getting comfortable on the bike and adjusted to the track.” said Fitz-Gerald. “The track is challenging because it’s so fast. With normal Supercross, you have corners where you slow down and then line up but this is quite different – everything is coming at you so fast so it will take a bit of getting used to. I’m just trying to ride as much as I can before the event.”
With a quality field of competitors, Fitz-Gerald knows he will have to perform at optimum level on the day but feels the opportunity to ride in the event supersedes the riders themselves.
“Taking part in Red Bull Straight Rhythm with all these guys is amazing, especially as a South African but I think it’s just really special just getting the opportunity to participate. I’m looking forward to the actual event and am grateful for the opportunity to ride. Hopefully this will open a door for future South Africans to compete.”
Although Red Bull Straight Rhythm takes place all the way in California, South Africans can watch Fitz-Gerald compete at 2:30am SAST on Sunday, 23 October 2016 on Red Bull TV on connected devices, Smart TVs or online at www.redbull.tv/straightrhythm.
Red Bull Straight Rhythm Rider List
Open Class: Ryan Dungey, Marvin Musquin, Trey Canard, Josh Hansen, Jeff Alessi, Nico Izzi, Austin Politelli, Darryn Durham, Deven Raper, Tevin Tapia, Kyle Chisholm, Nick Schmidt, Vince Friese, Axell Hodges, Dustin Pipes, Gregg Duffy
Lites Class: Shane McElrath, Jordon Smith, Mitchell Oldenberg, Dakota Alix, Kerim Fitz-Gerald, Josh Hill, Colton Aeck, Ben LaMay Pala Raceway Qualifier – Jon Jon Ames Riverfront MX Park Qualifier – Dare DeMartile
Special Exhibition: Race Ronnie Mac vs. Trevor Piranha
Similar to 2015, riders will start from an elevated platform, which provides for a unique feature for both the competitors and spectator viewing. However, this year the riders will be heading directly in to a rhythm section, leading to different rhythm options right out of the gate. The 1/2-mile long track will also be built on top of two tunnels, which spectators will be able to walk through and which elevate the whoops to eye-level.
Red Bull Straight Rhythm Track Stats:
- 12,000 cubic yards of dirt
- 74 total jumps
- 2,500 feet long
- 236 feet of whoops
- One sand trap
- Tallest jump: 10 feet
- Tallest landing: 14 feet
- Longest jump: 80 feet, peak-to-peak
- Four speed checks (including one sand pit)
- Red Bull Straight Rhythm is supported by GoPro, BFGoodrich Tires, Polaris RZR, Shift, Traxxas and Suzuki.
