Bako shines in South Africa

Collin Matiza Sports Editor
YOUNG Zimbabwean motocross rider Emmanuel Bako got his 2018 campaign to a flying start when he took the first step on the podium in the 65cc Class during the opening round of the South African Northern Regions Championship at Sand Trax in Sasolburg on Saturday.

This year’s South African Northern Regions Championship is made up of six race meetings which will run until October and 12-year-old Bako, a Grade Six pupil at Heritage School in Harare, raised the Zimbabwean flag high in the opening round of this regional series when he swept the board in the 65cc Class.

Now a member of one of South Africa’s top motocross clubs, Team Vision Racing Team, Bako wagged his tail vigourously on Saturday as he convincingly won the two heats to emerge as the top dog in the 65cc Class followed by South Africans Lucas Venter and Barend du Toit.

There were 22 bikers in the 65cc Class and Bako was just in an uncompromising mood as he got the job done in a professional way to steal the thunder from fellow Zimbabwean Jayden Ashwell who finished third overall in the main MX1 Class at the same race meeting at Sand Trax on Saturday.

Bako, who was mounting Husqvarna, was 15 seconds faster than second-placed Venter and amassed 50 points in the first regional of the year in South Africa. Another Zimbabwean rider Emille Crosset, who was riding in South Africa for the first time, also did extremely well by finishing fourth overall in the 50cc Class.

Zimbabwe’s champion rider Ashwell competed in the main MX1 Class and came third overall behind top South African motocross riders Tristan Purdon and David Goosen. But the day belonged to Bako who was just a joy to watch in the 65cc Class.

Speaking to The Herald after the race on Saturday, Bako, who is sponsored by Prolific Boreholes, said he was feeling good going into the 2018 season which will also see him taking part in the tough seven-round South African National Championship series which gets underway on February 17.

“The track was sandy but I managed to get my nose in front from the first heat and I avoided making some mistakes as I knew that Lucas Venter and Barend du Toit were also gunning for first place. I would like to thank God for his love and protection; and with His guidance I think I will also win the South African (National) title this year,” Bako said. He said he was now looking forward to taking part in the opening round of the 2018 South African National Championship series on February 17 at the Rover Raceway in Port Elizabeth.

“In fact, February 17 is my father’s birthday and I would like to give him a perfect birthday present by taking the first step on the podium again in the Port Elizabeth race meeting . . . That’s my main aim and I’m convinced that I will do it,” Bako said.

His father and manager, Brighton “Bucks” Bako, was also over the moon after watching his son obliterating the field in the opening round of the South African Northern Regions Championship on Saturday.

“Emmanuel was in good form today and I’m glad that he didn’t make any mistakes as he was really focused. With this kind of form, I think he is a good bet to take the first step on the podium again in the opening round of the South African Nationals in Port Elizabeth in a fortnight,” Brighton Bako said.

After racing in the opening round of the South African Nationals in Port Elizabeth on February 17, Emmanuel, who is sponsored locally by Prolific Boreholes, is expected to take part in round two of the Northern Regions Championship at Dirt Bronco near Johannesburg on March 17.