adminTHIS year is finally ending after a series of successful events on the motorsport calendar with only one event remaining — the famous Toyota Castrol 3-hour endurance race. It’s the biggest motorsport event of the year and it is lined up for the 10th of December at the Bulawayo Motorsport Park. The Bulawayo Motoring Club has saved the best for this last event. Make a date, do not be left out!
Now, some may ask what the 3-hour endurance race is all about, well, simply put — it’s like a last man standing match, the strongest man with the strongest car will last 3 hours and will take the trophy. Endurance racing is a form of motorsport meant to test the durability of the cars and the endurance of the drivers. Teams therefore have to cover the most laps within the given time period.
This year, Darren Winterboer will be defending his title having won the 3-hour race for five years running with his BMW 335i.
Last year, he won with 122 laps which came short of his 127 winning laps in the previous year. He must be in great shape having recently won the Extreme Supercar series in South Africa.
In the last year, Father and Son Team Rowan and Jamie Whyte took second place with their Subaru proving to be a worthy contender winning second place with 120 laps. Stuart Levi and Lola of Young racing took third place with their custom-built sports 2000 managing to complete 119 laps. It must be that Opel super boss engine working its magic in the sports 2000, no wonder they call it the blue bullet. They are all busy prepping their cars for the 3-hour endurance race, it’s a show not to miss.
This year’s event promises to be bigger and better with 55 entries already received for both cars and bikes. Drivers from South Africa and Botswana are expected to compete. South Africa’s Shelby Can Am series have six confirmed entries. Not to be outdone is Botswana’s super fast Nardini coming to give the Bulawayo guys a run for their money.
On the local scene we have our favourites coming out to complete, the king of the 3-Hour, Darren Winterboer as mentioned earlier is coming in with his BMW335i. After an impressive run at the last drags that saw him breaking into the 11 second bracket with his Suabru WRX, Darren Pragji will bring out his beautiful 4A-Ge powered Datsun for the battle. Denzil Bhana is also competing with his prepped up Ford Escort as usual. Finally yet importantly, we have Bob Beaver’s little green mini and Dino Khamal’s Datsun coupe in the Class D saloon segment.
Shaun Whyte will be defending his title on the motorbike side with his Yamaha R6. He won the 1 hr with 45 laps in the previous event followed closely by Dave Mouat and Cam Aitken also with 45 laps on a Honda CBR. Mathew Shultz completed with 43 laps falling into 3rd place, they will all be fighting to better their own records. Biker chic Tiffany Fisher is in Bulawayo for this event and will be riding alongside South Africa’s Savanna Woodward, they will be representing for the ladies. Our local favourites Mathew Schultz, Tim Shultz, Ian Gutherless among others will be representing Bulawayo.
The 3-hour is traditionally sponsored by Toyota and Castrol and this year it’s no different, they are making it possible once again. Five dollars will get you a ticket and it’s free for children under the age of twelve. You have no reason not be there. Full bar and entertainment will be available courtesy of Eden nightclub and they will be hosting the after party as well.
The Bulawayo Motoring club would like to urge all motorsport enthusiasts to drive safe this festive season and to race legally on the tracks in a controlled environment. We do not need you to be another statistic on the road carnage list. Be safe, drive safely and if you have an insatiable thirst for racing bring yourself and your friends to the track — lets keep our roads safe. See you at the Bulawayo Motorsport Park!
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Online Reporter