adminMzingaye Sibanda Sports Reporter
IAN Gutherless of Bulawayo Motoring Club (BMC) won the bike race category at the penultimate leg of the national championship at Breedon Everard Race Course along Victoria Falls Road on Saturday. Gutherless was consistent enough to take the overall first place. Second placed Graham Hill was the only Harare rider and also consistent with finishes to gain overall points.
Racing between Fuzzy Walker and Byron Norman on the Superbikes was especially exciting, as shown by their times.
Walker won both the scratch races on a close call with Norman close on his heels but unfortunately did not finish well in the handicap races.
First time female rider Bianca Shultz who after breaking down in the first scratch race, recovered well, and finished the day’s racing without any further problems and went on to win one of the bike handicap races.
BMC’s Zane Shah said it was a fantastic day of racing with lots of thrills and spills, close racing and a few broken cars.
“This being the penultimate leg of the national championship, drivers who are in the top points were determined to win at all costs,” said Shah.
Darren Pragji who is in the running to win the championship in the 1600cc class gave spectators a spectacular spin at the famous flyover, when pushing too hard he spun out towards the bridge, but still managed to get back on the track and finish the race.
Competition between Richard Robinson in a Lotus 7 with a Yahama 1000cc engine and Denzil Bhana in an Anglia was very exciting.
The Barons Toyota Corolla driven by Darren Winterboer had a troublesome day suffering mechanical problems, hampering his chances of winning.
Ian Howden, who previously raced the Subaru, was driving a Toyota Corolla, won his class in the national events, but unfortunately had a break down and could not compete in the handicap races.
Driver of the day had to be given to Mike McKillop, who was racing for the first time, and made a huge impression on the race track.
Barons Motor Spares, L & L Mining, Colourworld, Toyota Zimbabwe, Road Angels, Auto Quip, Shield Security and Absolute Aqua sponsored the event.
The next big track racing is the Toyota/ Castrol Three-Hour Endurance Race on 30 November, which is the biggest event on the Zimbabwe racing calendar.
It promises to be very exciting with local competitors battling it out with their counterparts from South Africa, Botswana and England.
Results
Sports A: Cole Bond (Harare), Richard Robinson (Harare), Stuart Young (Bulawayo)
Sports B: Stephanus van der Linde, John Cameron, Brett Cameron (all Harare)
Saloon A: Ian Howden (Harare), Denzil Bhana (Bulawayo), Angelo Tavares (Bulawayo)
Saloon C: Darren Pragji (Bulawayo), Berkau Olsen (Harare) Micheal McKillop ( Bulawayo)
Ultimate Streetcars: Ivan Callaghan ( Bulawayo), Samantha Till (Harare), Phil van Vuuren (Bulawayo)
Toyota Main Race: Phil van Vuuren ( Bulawayo), Berkau Olsen (Harare), Richard Robinson ( Harare)
Motorcycles: Ian Gutherless (Bulawayo), Graham Hill ( Harare), Fuzzy Walker (Bulawayo)
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