adminCollin Matiza Sports Editor
MOTOR racing fans are geared up for tomorrow’s Grand Finale of the Telecel 2014 Drag Racing Series at the famous Donnybrook Raceway in Harare. Several potential new competitors are rumoured to be planning on making a debut performance tomorrow, including an AC Cobra V8 from Zambia.
At the same time a handful of competitors are putting in the usual last-minute work to ready their cars and motorcycles for tomorrow’s exciting event.
The Dragpro Club, who run drag racing in this country, have also this year been canvassing to encourage some of the high-end luxury and sports cars usually seen on the public roads to come and show what these cars can do, in a sanctioned environment.
The invitation is, however, also open to any members of the public irrespective of what vehicle they drive as this is aimed as being a sanctioned and fun way to put the pedal to the metal and have some fun.
Racing starts at 11am as usual, and the grudge matches are expected to be fierce as competitors fight it out for the big sponsored prizes and to keep hold of their titles until next year when drag racing returns after the rains.
Many fans and competitors have taken a liking to the newly-introduced “bracket” or “handicap” racing after the grudge matches which levels out the field between all competitors, regardless of their power levels.
Among the star attractions at tomorrow’s event at Donnybrook will be veteran motorbike rider Phil “Archie” Archenoul who always illuminates the track at this famous motorsport venue mounting his 250cc bike and he will once again be the man to beat in the motorbike section.
Archenoul (58) is currently walking on cloud after he was recently crowned as the 2014 Superbikes champion as well as the king of the Bokomo Weet-Bix Megelli series and he will be out to put the icing on the cake by emerging as the overall winner of the motorbike section at Donnybrook tomorrow.
“I will definitely be at Donnybrook on Sunday and I’m looking forward to some stiff and exciting competition from the other riders but I’m determined to take the first step on the podium at the end of business on Sunday,” Archenoul, a likeable character, told The Herald yesterday.
The highlight of the day, without a doubt, for racing fans is the knock-out Eliminations event which pits competitors two at a time in order from slowest to fastest in order to declare the ultimate fastest car and bike of the day respectively.
Motor racing fans are really in for a treat tomorrow as the 2014 Telecel Drag Racing Series will end off with a superb spinning demonstration by the popular “Fat Cat and Co” after the Elimination event.
Tomorrow promises to be another great motorsport day out for the whole family at Donnybrook in Harare.
Full bar and catering is available as well as entertainment for the kids.
Tomorrow’s event is proudly sponsored by Telecel Zimbabwe, hp lubes t/a Castrol Zimbabwe, Turbo Solutions Africa, Financial Gazette and DHL.
And Temba Mazvimbakupa of the Zimbabwe Motorsport Federation has urged the local motorsport enthusiasts to come in their thousands to watch this action-packed event at Donnybrook tomorrow.
“The drag racing series has been the most exciting event of all the motorsport events we’ve held this season and it drew large crowds at each and every competition this year and Sunday’s event will be no exception. There will definitely be thrills and spills at this event as most competitors will be out to be declared the overall winners of the respective sections they have been competing in during the series.
“So, I would like to urge all the motor racing fans to come to Donnybrook in their thousands on Sunday and be part of the Grand Finale of the 2014 Telecel Drag Racing Series . . . It will definitely be a fun-filled day for the whole family,” Mazvimbakupa said yesterday.
Donnybrook Raceway is accessible through Arcturus Road just after Chikurubi Support Unit camp and also through Mutare Road opposite Mabvuku high-density suburb.
Entry fee for spectators has been pegged at US$5 per person and children under the age of 12 will get in for free.
It will simply be an extraordinary day! Before watching tomorrow’s Grand Finale of the 2014 Telecel Drag Racing Series, motor racing fans will today be treated to some flat track racing at the same venue.
Online Reporter