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Collin Matiza
Sports Editor
ZIMBABWE’S junior motocross champion rider Emmanuel Bako was without doubt the star of the meeting as he did a double to win both the 85cc and 125cc classes at the weekend’s season-ending 2021 Dial a Delivery Zimbabwe Summer Series at Donnybrook Park Raceway in Harare.
It was also a weekend to remember for another young rider, Victor Nyamupfukudza (7), who swept to victory in the 50cc Class, while others went far closer to form.
The three-day Zimbabwe Summer Series, which saw a local food takeaway delivery company, Dial a Delivery, coming in as its main sponsor this year, opened up with two Supercross race meetings last Friday and Saturday afternoon before closing with full day of some exciting motocross action on Sunday.
And it was 14-year-old Bako who was the star of the show as he first emerged as the overall champion of the 85cc Class before putting the icing on the cake by walking away with the 125cc Class title to score “a double” at this event which only attracted local riders as foreign riders from countries such as South Africa, Zambia and the UK failed to turn up due to recent Covid-19 restrictions which were put in place by the Government.
Bako, the 2021 85cc Pro Mini National Champion in South Africa, performed extremely well as he left everyone speechless, riding in the 125cc Class with an 85cc bike and won this section convincingly ahead of his local rivals, who included old foe 17-year-old Daiyaan ”D” Manuel.
In the 85cc Class, Bako was just on fire and aggressive. He didn’t give any chance to anyone to take the win for the three days running as he claimed the first step on the podium at the business end of the 2021 Zimbabwe Summer Series on Sunday afternoon.
And Bako’s father and manager, Brighton, could not hide his excitement after watching his son producing some polished performances in the three days of action last Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Brighton urged his 14-year-old son to continue with the same attitude and work-rate to ensure he is able to live up to expectations.
“Emmanuel wants to improve — he’s really humble and working hard,” Brighton said after Sunday’s final day of the Zimbabwe Summer Series at Donnybrook Park Raceway.
“When he was crowned the 85cc Pro Mini Class National Champion in South Africa in November, I told him to keep his feet on the ground as he was preparing for the Zimbabwe Summer Series and he did just that, resulting in him pulling off a double by winning the 85cc and 125cc classes, a feat which he has not achieved before.
“So, firstly I would like to thank God for the gift of riding which He has given to Emmanuel and I would also like to thank his local sponsors, Better Brands Jewellery and Fuchs Silkolene Zimbabwe, who backed him throughout this season. The challenge for him is to maintain that level to fulfil his expectation as we head into the 2022 season.”
There was also joy for seven-year-old rider Victor Nyamupfukudza who swept to victory in the 50cc Class.
In fact, Nyamupfukudza received a huge morale booster ahead of this year’s Zimbabwe Summer Series when Mashwede Holdings, through its owner, Alex ”Dr Mash” Mashamhanda, gave him some financial assistance.
And the young rider did not disappoint as he made no mistakes, taking an iron grip of the 50cc Class from Day One of the competition last Friday up to the last day on Sunday.
Nyamupfukudza’s father, Simbarashe, was over the moon after watching his son being crowned the overall winner of the 50cc Class at this year’s Zimbabwe Summer Series.
“After receiving the cash donation from Mr. Alex Mashamhanda of Mashwede Holdings, we went straight to buy the necessary spares for Victor’s bikes and it really paid off. We are so grateful. It was Victor everywhere here at Donnybrook!!!
“I think the sponsorship he got from Mashwede Holdings spurred him to victory and I would like to thank them from the bottom of my heart for their support. We are looking at forging a good partnership with them in the future,” Simbarashe Nyamupfukudza said.
He also said his son might spend the next season racing in the 50cc Class before upgrading to 65cc Class.
Online Reporter