The Man's career.

Gareth Swanepoel has notched up a long list of South African and International titles. The talented South African moved to Europe at the tender age of 15 to further his professional racing career following in the footsteps of fellow countrymen, Greg Albertyn and Grant Langston.

Moving to the MX1 class in 2009 was seen a strategic decision for the South African after his tenure in the MX2 class which saw Swanepoel on the podium on no less than two occasions. Finishing 8th in his rookie season in the premier MX1 class, aboard a factory Kawasaki, Swanepoel moved to the factory CAS Honda squad before deciding to move to the USA.

Now a regualr top 5 contender in the AMA nationals representing the Yamaha Star Racing team, Swanepoel is looking for his first AMA podium finish.

Birthday:24th November 1984
Residence: Roodepoort South Africa. (based in Belgium during the GP season)
Birthplace:Johannesburg South Africa
Height: 1.75m
Weight 72kg
Hobbies Jet-skiing, Go-karting
Favourite track Isle of Wight - Arreton
Team 2011 DNA SHREDSTIX STAR RACING YAMAHA
Ambition To be world champ
Career highlights: • Multiple South African Junior Moto X Association Champion in the following classes; 50cc Automatic, PW 80cc Semi Automatic, DS 80cc Lever, KX 60cc Lever

• Competed at the 1993 NMA World Mini Grand Prix in Las Veges, USA at eight years of age and won the 50cc stock class and finished second in the 60cc stock class.

• First runner up South African 80cc Championship in 1998.

• South African 125cc High School National Champion in 1999.

• Rode as a guest rider for UK based MJ Church Kawasaki in the 125cc Schoolboy Class at the Sheffield Supercross in the UK in 1999, achieving overall 3rd position.

• 2000 -2002 Rode for Vangani KTM in European and international events.

• 2001 – MX of Nations for South Africa


• 2003 - German 125cc Champion + MX of Nations rider for South Africa

• 2003 - German Open Champion + Bercy SX contender

• 2004 - 8th position at AMA 125cc National USA in Unadilla.

• 2004 - 5th overall at GP of Ireland and a 4th position first heat finish at the GP of South Africa.

• 2004 - 10th and 4th at the MX of Nations in Lierop

• 2004 – 21st in MX2 Championship

• 2005 – Shoulder surgery at the start of the year saw Gareth miss the first rounds of the World and British championship.

• 2005 – Two 7th places in South African GP + British championship moto wins 21st MX2 championship, 5th British MX2 championship.

• 2006 – 11th in MX2 overall standings with numerous top 5 placings.


• 2007 – 2nd MX2 GP of Lierop, 3rd MX2 GP of Valkenswaard. (5th MX2 championship) Winner of 4 of 8 rounds British champs.

• 2008 – 10th MX2 GP of the Netherlands. 3rd MX2 British champs Hawkstone Park. (Missed most of season due to wrist injury)

• 2009 – 8th MX1 World championship. 2nd British MX1 Championship

• 2010 – 14th MX1 World championship. 2nd British MX1 Championship - contended last 3 rounds of the AMA Pro MX series with top 10 finishes.