Drags back at Donnybrook

Collin Matiza Sports Editor
THOUSANDS of Zimbabwean motorsport enthusiasts are once again expected to flock to Donnybrook Raceway in Harare this Sunday to watch the fourth instalment of the 2013 Telecel Drag Racing Series for cars and motorcycles. In fact, Zimbabwean racing fans and driving/riding enthusiasts are gearing up once again for the fourth event of this year’s Telecel Drag Racing Series, a motorsport event which showcases members of the general public racing their vehicles on the quarter-mile straight.

This event has this year enjoyed a growing trend of support and popularity as the numbers of both spectators and competitors grow with each race meeting.

The previous event held in early July welcomed the Series’ first international competitor, Reg Murray, who attended with two impressive drag vehicles which perform at the top of the game in South Africa.

Although Murray did not perform at his best due to a small technical problem with one of the vehicles, he is determined to return again soon hoping to show what the vehicle can do.

In the meantime, the Dragpro Club, who run the sport of drag racing in this country, are currently already in talks with another group of South African competitors who have expressed serious interest in coming to one of the Harare events before the end of the year.

“This is an exciting development as it is always refreshing to welcome new vehicles and drivers to the local racing scene,” said Susan Zevgolis, the secretary of the Drag Pro Club yesterday.

The Series’ has of course also had its share of local vehicle failures, most recently and notably the very popular Blue Subaru Sti driven by Kevin Allmark, which has been out of the game now for two events.

Word has it though that this car should be back on the track stronger than ever for the next event in early November.
Fans of this team will be waiting in anticipation for this comeback. There are, however, usually some surprise vehicles attending on the day sure to bring some variety and interest, and or course the event regulars are usually pushing their vehicles and themselves trying their best to improve times.

This event is also expecting to witness a “BMW showdown” with around 10 BMWs scheduled to battle it out on the track – sure to meet with the approval of BMW fans!

In the meantime the fight for the Title of “King of the Track” for the cars remained a close call at the last event between the AC V8 Cobra driven by Alan Cacace and the Subaru WRX driven by J Ranchod.

Other vehicles at the top of their classes range widely from Corollas, Altezzas, Lancers, V8s, BMWs, Skylines, Subarus, to name only but a few.
The fight for the title of “King of the Motorcycles” is currently between former motor rallying navigator Phil Archenoul and Donovan Maxfield, with other riders such as L Carlsson and S Naested hot on their tails.

Motorcycles competing on the day range from Megelli 125s to GSXR1000s and ZX1400s.
This weekend’s programme follows the same schedule as the last event.

Gates on Sunday open at 10:30 am with training/drivers briefing at 11am.
Racing is scheduled to start at 11:30 am and will run right through to 5pm. The event will culminate in a real treat for spectators with an end of day Spinning Demonstration and Burnouts by the well-known and popular “Fat Cat and Co.”

So, if you’re looking for some motorsport action and an exciting and fun day with the family, Donnybrook is the place to be this Sunday. There will be a full bar and catering and entertainment for the kids.

The 2013 Drag Racing Series has been made possible through the generous sponsorship of Telecel, hp lubes/Castrol, Easyparts, Turbo Solutions Africa, RAM Petroleum, Autobusiness Magazine and Fingaz.

“Dragpro Club continues to advocate speed fans to ‘Race the Track, not the Street’,” Zevgolis said.
“Please note that for Sunday’s event the Dragpro Club will be implementing a new one-way system for all traffic throughout Donnybrook for the day. This is to alleviate traffic congestion, which, at the last event, was an issue. We would like all the spectators to follow all traffic signs and comply with directions given by marshalls and guards,” Zevgolis added.