4×4 Jamboree is back

Collin Matiza

IT’S that time of the year again!

One of the country’s most popular and biggest motor racing events — the Castrol 4×4 Jamboree — is back on the local motorsport calendar and will be staged over two days at the home of motorsport in this country,  Donnybrook Park Raceway. 

The event has been scheduled for August 31 and September 1, with the country’s top 4×4 competitors expected to congregate for what promises to be exciting shows. 

According to Carol Weare of the 4×4 Club, who organises and runs the Castrol 4×4 Jamboree, the two dates for the events, will also see them celebrating 125 years of Castrol and their support of motorsport in Zimbabwe. 

The 4×4 Club has a history of long partnerships that have spanned many decades including hp lubes Castrol has been the main sponsor of this event for over 30 years now. 

Speaking to Zimpapers Sports, Weare said this year’s event we will be back with the usual favourites such as the Mud Run.

“The (main event) the Toyota Extreme Challenge will take place on Sunday from 12 noon. 

“We will be splashing through the MUD Run at 3:30 pm sponsored this year by Central African Batteries. 

“This year we have added the tyre dragging course sponsored by National Tyre Services. 

“This will have both the competition vehicles and long wheel base drivers competing for the last time through the course without penalties,” Weare said. 

“This year will see the Kirk family in the battle of the Cournil entering with  four vehicles.  Mads Kirk, who took first place last year in the Special Class, will be entering again in Korna Cona. 

“His wife, Lisbeth, will be entering the long wheel base class in the Corlux, a modified long wheel base Cournil. 

“Their sons — Martin and Thomas — will be entering stand modified in a Cournil competing with their brother Jesper in his modified Cournil known as “Pinky” to challenge last year’s winner of the standard modified class, Gareth Geach, who will be competing in a Land Rover Dirty Dinky with his daughter Karla as navigator.  

“Ashleigh Geach, his wife, will be entering long wheel base class with her daughter Alexis.  As always, a family club promoting driving and off-road fun it will be a great weekend of entertainment for all ages,” Weare said. 

The event will also see in the special class, a Korna Cona being driven by Mads Kirk who entered his first Jamboree in 1993 in an Isuzu Rodeo Big Horn. 

“The story of Korna Cona goes like this: — Born a Cournil police vehicle 1978. Bought by a club member early 90s, shortened, and modified for competition. sold to myself and Karsten Nielsen, converted to a 4-wheel steer used in 4×4 competitions till the Covid-19-induced break. It was rebuilt during the Covid-19 break into the current resurrection,” Weare said.

“The current specs are: 4l Cruiser 3F engine, 4 airbag individual suspension, 2 fiddle brakes, 12x 35 inch tyres, hydraulic four-wheel steer. 

“It has always been an inspiration for me and its fans to show that the seemingly impossible can be possible with faith, ingenuity, and perseverance.”