Namibia will become a hub of motocross action at the end of August when about 180 riders from eight African countries compete in the 2026 MX of African Nations Championship at the Gallina MX Track.
The venue, north of Windhoek, has undergone extensive upgrades to meet the safety and track standards of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM).
Organiser and motocross and enduro rider Ingo Waldschmidt says preparations are progressing well.
“We have 179 riders up to now that basically get the ok coming to ride, which is huge for us (Namibia).
We still have a couple of individual riders that we might add towards the end – the number might even increase, and we are glad about that,” he says.
During a visit to the venue last week, Top Revs found contractors working to complete the final upgrades.
The entrance has been redesigned with a new gate, entrance office and paved access road, while the track has been widened and fitted with additional jumps to comply with FIM regulations.
Waldschmidt says jump widths had to be increased to between six and eight metres, while several corners were widened significantly.
The starting straight also had to be broadened to accommodate about 40 riders charging into the first corner, where crashes are most likely to occur.
The circuit has also been made safer by adding sand barriers in sections where fencing is close to the track.
“We try to limit the possibility of any injuries, hence the changes,” Waldschmidt says.
Medical services will be provided by OSH-Med International, which will have a treatment centre, fully equipped ambulances, 10 emergency medical practitioners and a doctor on site.
The pit area is also being expanded to accommodate the riders and their technical crews.
One of the biggest challenges, Waldschmidt says, will be dust suppression.
Under FIM regulations, organisers have limited opportunities to water the track and are not allowed to do so during races, unlike at local events where watering continues throughout the day.
More entries are expected once final confirmations have been received, while the Namibian rider list will be announced soon.
“It is hectic with such a large event.
We are trying to get everything in place,” Waldschmidt says.
He notes that Namibia last hosted an international motocross event several years ago and previously staged the MX of African Nations in 2009, although on a much smaller scale.
Reflecting on the preparations, Waldschmidt credits the organising team for the progress made.
“You have to be passionate about the sport. It is fun trying to get all of this organised.
We have an amazing team helping behind the scenes and everybody is doing their jobs very well,” he says.
Zimbabwe hosted last year’s championship, which attracted about 140 riders from Zimbabwe, Uganda, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Madagascar, Zambia and Kenya.
