adminSports Reporter
THE Bulawayo Motoring Club held their last public drag race for the 2014 season at the Victoria Falls road circuit yesterday.
The event was bankrolled by OK Mart Bulawayo, who also used the event to promote the 2014 Christmas line specials.BMC vice-chairman Zane Shah was full of praises for the OK Mart support for motor racing.
“BMC welcomes the coming on board of OK Mart and we encourage drivers that wish to compete to come and do so in a safe and controlled environment giving significance to our theme ‘Race Legal”’, said Shar.
Although it was the last public drag race on their calendar, BMC will stage their most prestigious event, the 45th anniversary of the three-hour Endurance Race on 6 December.
Bulawayo racer Tim Schultz who got injured in the Superbike race at the National Championship at the same venue took part in the drag race and came third. Schultz is yet to undergo fitness tests which would make him eligible to take part in the three-hour Endurance Race.
“I am still nursing broken ribs and took part in the drag race as it is not strenuous for me, however, before I take part in the three-hour endurance I need to pass a medical fitness test”, said Schultz.
OK Mart branch manager Alan Makani said their involvement in the sport was part of their social responsibility.
“We are ploughing back to the community that has stood with us hence our support today (yesterday) and we are happy to be associated with BMC”, said Makani.
Sharon van Vuuren, one of the female competitors, said she had been racing for close to three years and she enjoyed taking part in drag races.
“It has been a worthwhile three years but the heat plays an important part as it’s easier to drag when the weather is cool than when it’s hot, but I do enjoy the sport as it helps my driving skills”, she said.
Drag racing is over a distance of 402 metres from a standing start and the first competitor to cross the line when the lights go green is the winner of the race.
Each competitor sets a minimum of three qualifying times and these are placed in order from the slowest to the fastest for qualifying to the knockout round.
Dave Masberg was the fastest biker of the day while Kirk Allberry was the fastest in the cars category in his Cobra, a 1960s model.
Online Reporter