Name: Kerim Fitz-Gerald
Age: 36
City and Country of Residence: Johannesburg, South Africa
Dakar 2024 Class: Rally 2
Race number: 124
Married: Yes
Spouse’s name: Chanel Fitz-Gerald
First Dakar? Yes
Previous Dakars ? None
My racing career:
I started around the age of 4 – although my first PW5O was just an ornament which I used to smoke out the house, I managed to get a 3rd at my very first motocross race, after lots of convincing from my dad.
I can honestly say that it was everything, still is my everyday, since I can remember. Each win came with more want for success – winning was the only way I could continue and pursue my dreams as my parents could barely afford it.
Our now dinner time stories are often of the before school time training at the track, my mom loosing a charm bracelet in my engine while putting it together the night before a race, my uncle insisting I jump the jump and that he will catch me on the other side – I definitely would’ve been better off if he wasn’t standing in the way – but its all these moments, memories and sacrifices that have got me to where I am today.
Over the past 30 years I have managed to win multiple championships in almost every class I have competed in and decided that after my 10th title to retire from competing professionally in the motocross facet and use my experience and knowledge in managing, promoting and growing the motocross team instead.
It wasn’t long and a “fun” off road race turned into a 3rd in the very competitive National OR2 Cross Country Championship in 2021.
The once its in your blood saying definitely stands as I have joined
the KTM Cross Country team working towards an overall win and some future goals.
What made you want to do the Dakar?
I want to win. The overall National Cross Country win would be a great step towards
my plans to compete in the ultimate cross country endurance race – Dakar.
I hope to grow my personal brand and work towards growing a platform
where I can represent motorsport South Africa as a whole locally and abroad.
Highlights: Race
– Its not necessarily a race highlifgt – but a highlifgt that outweights every championship and every accomplishment – the birth of our daughters.
– Winning 10 titles across almost every class in the motocross facet.
– Representing my country at the motocross of nations the couple times I had the oppertunity to do so.
Local
– 10 National SA Motocross Champion (1995, 1997, 2003, 2006, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 & 2019).
– Multiple Regional Motocross Champion.
– 3rd in OR2 National SA Cross Country Champi1onship (2021 & 2022).
– 2023 SA NCC P1 National Seniors P4 Overall.
International
– Represented South Africa multiple times at the African Motocross of Nations.
– Represented SA Multiple times at the Motocross of Nations, The Olympics of Motocross (2000, 2016 & 2017).
– 4th in Canadian Champi1onship (2009).
– Sonora Rally 2023 (P19 Overall & P6 Rally2)
Your biggest supporter(s): TBA
My plan for Dakar 2024: TBA
Brand of bike: KTM 450 Rallye
Who will be your support at Dakar 2024: TBA
Main sponsor: TBA
Other sponsors? (Clothing, helmets – anything goes) : TBA
Promotional events planned before Dakar 2024: TBA
What you will be doing for fitness, practice, seat time: TBA
Anything else of interest: TBA
