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Collin Matiza-Sports Editor
THE Bogwheelers Club, who run the motorcycling sport of motocross in Zimbabwe, are preparing to host the largest Zimbabwe Summer Series in years with over 20 foreign riders from the United States, Europe, South Africa and Zambia set to participate in the exciting three-day event next month.
The Zimbabwe Summer Series is the season-ending motorcycling event which is traditionally held during the second weekend of December and this year’s dirt bike riding competition will be held on December 9, 10 and 11 at the home of motorsport in this country — Donnybrook Park Raceway in Harare.
This year’s event will once again consist of two Supercross (night racing) meetings on December 9 and 10 and will be followed by a full day of motocross action on the final day of the event on December 11.
And the Bogwheelers Club yesterday revealed that this year’s Zimbabwe Summer Series will be more extreme than ever with the news that more than 20 foreign riders from the United States, Europe, South Africa and Zambia will be making their way to Harare to add some international flavour to this exciting three-day event.
Speaking to The Herald yesterday, Jamie Kerwin, the secretary of the Bogwheelers Club, said they have just recently changed and built a new Supercross track, especially for this event.
The track had not been changed for decades.
“This will prove to be very exciting for riders and spectators. Many thanks to our sponsors and committee for undertaking this mammoth task to provide the best platform for great racing,” Kerwin said.
She said apart from the more than 20 foreign riders, most of the country’s top junior and senior male and female dirt bike riders will also be out “in full force”, fighting for the top honours in the different classes they will be competing at this year’s Zimbabwe Summer Series. Former senior champion rider Jayden Ashwell will be back riding and representing Zimbabwe together with teenage sensation rider Emmanuel Bako, who will be carrying the Zimbabwean flag in the 125cc (High School) and 250cc (MX1) classes.
Bako, a 16-year-old St John’s College Form Three pupil, spent the last 10 days training under one of South Africa’s top motocross trainers Joe Tavares at Donnybrook as part of his preparations for this year’s Zimbabwe Summer Series.
Four other young riders — Emile Croisette, Junior Bako and the Sakupwanya brothers Mudiwa and Judah — also got some useful motocross riding tips from France-based Tavares during his stay in Zimbabwe, thanks to Better Brands Petroleum who paid for his services.
And during next month’s Zimbabwe Summer Series, Emmanuel and Junior Bako, Croisette and the Sakupwanyas will be joined on the track by fellow talented young Zimbabwean riders Riley Rocher, Karl Van As, Victor Nyamupfukudza, Tadiwanashe Nyamupfukudza (13) and many many more.
Eight-year-old Victor Nyamupfukudza, who rides in the 50cc and 65cc classes, has this year been sponsored by Mashwede Holdings, through the company’s owner Alex “Dr Mash” Mashamhanda, and he (Nyamupfukudza) has promised to come out with all his guns blazing during this year’s Zimbabwe Summer Series.
Making a come back to motocross for this epic event are Regan Wasmuth, Tristan Grainger, Marc Thompson and Scott Fraser.
“We are so pleased to be hosting this event on a grand scale again after Covid left things very difficult (in the past two years).
“We are anticipating a large event with very competitive racing and much fun. There will be full catering and bar service at the event.
“Tickets will be on sale on the day at the entrance of Donnybrook at US$5 per person with proceeds going to the elderly,” Kerwin said.
Online Reporter