An extremely long Regional season, that started on the 30th January 2010, with the first round at Dirt Bronco Racetrack, finally drew its last breath this past Saturday at the Zeemans Racetrack in Alberton, just south of Johannesburg on the 27^th November. A tough series, comprising of eight rounds, meant that consistent placing on the podium throughout the year would bring one rider to the top step at the end of it all. With three of the top national protagonists doing battle at most of the rounds, it was no easy feat, but in a series that went down to the last race to determine the overall champion, no inch or quarter was given.

Surprisingly enough, on arrival at the track on Saturday morning, riders were greeted with overcast clouds and the promise of rain showers that would ensure tough conditions on a very well prepared track. Entry numbers on the gates were marginally down, with the MX2 class numbering 12 riders that had entered. However where the class lacked in numbers, it definitely made up in talent, with Richard Van Der Westhuizen, Damon Strydom, and Sascha Naude, all top finishers in the National Championships lining up next to Ryan.

Ryan was 10 points in the lead of Richard Van Der Westhuizen, for the regional championship, going into the day and this meant that he needed to finish on the podium in order to ensure the overall championship victory. A tough call considering the talent lined field.

A muddy practice and threats of rain had Ryan feeling confident, as his major strengths lie in racing muddy and sandy conditions.

Shimwells Yamaha had recently redone the motor on Ryans trusty Yamaha YZ250X, as he had done an entire season of practicing and racing on the same bike, so no chances were tp be taken going into the final round. They also ensured major traction off the concrete starting gate, with a Michelin M5 rear and front tyre.

MX2 First Heat
After a long wait at the gates, while the marshalls made their way to their positions on the track, the gates dropped and Ryan was 2^nd into the first holeshot corner. He managed to muscle his way past Red Yamaha rider Damon Strydom moving into 1^st and by the second corner had worked out a little cushion between himself and the national freight train behind him. He kept the pace up for three laps riding strong and with positions swapping furiously behind him, he managed keep out of the bar room brawl going on behind. However on the start of his fourth lap his body language became panicked and as he came passed the pit signal area, it appeared that the bike was struggling to maintain revs and power. One by one he lost positions until he finally crossed the line in 4^th place.

With the sudden change from overcast conditions to sunshine, the jetting needed to be changed and this rectified the problem.

Ryan had lost 6 points of his 10 point lead and the pressure on Ryan was evident in the Angilley pits, with family and friends consoling him by telling him to relax and just go out and do his best. He had worked all year to complete this goal for himself and his sponsors and he did not want to let them down.

MX2 Second Heat
Ryan came off the gate quicker this time, but was edged out in the first corner by a bumping and barging Richard VDW who knew he had to beat Ryan in order to clinch the title. However Ryan gave as good as he got and the only benefactors in the skirmish was Damon Strydom and Sasch Naude who were in first and second with Ryan in third and Richard in fourth. Ryan managed to work his way past Sascha by the end of lap one and was closing up on Damon, who seemed to be out of sorts in front. Damon fell going into a tight left hand corner on the start of lap three and Ryan found himself leading the pack once again. He put his head down and for 15 minutes lead the hard charging riders behind him while the time ran down. On the second last lap, the pace and pressure seemed to get to him and he relinquished 1^st to Sascha. With his focus turned to the rider behind him he began to ride tighter and on the last lap, Richard and Ryan swapped positions with elbows and handlebars in the mix. However, Ryan knew with first place out of Richards hands he would not have enough points to snatch championship victory and Ryan relaxed and crossed the finish line in 3^rd position.

MX2 Overall for the Day
(1) Sascha Naude
(2) Richard Van Der Westhuizen
(3) Ryan Angilley
(4) Damon Strydom
(5) Alain Pretorius

2010 MX2 Northern Regions Regional Championship final point standings
(1) Ryan Angilley
(2) Richard van Der Westhuizen
(3) Alain Pretorius
(4) Sascha Naude
(5) Tyronne Stern

Ryan would like to express his utmost Gratitude and Thanks to Fox Clothing for all of their help and support throughout the year.

He has endeavoured to represent Fox professionally and to the best of his ability at all times.

He would like to share this championship victory with Fox, as without the Team Support, this could not have been possible.

Ryan will race the Dirt Broncos Supercross event on the 4^th December 2010, where he hopes to stamp his authority on this discipline of the sport.