It’s drifting time at Donnybrook, again

Tedious Manyepo Sports Reporter
DRIFTING returns at Donnybrook Raceway as it will be incorporated in the 2017 edition of the bi-annual Festival of Speed event set for next month.

The Sables Dragpro Club are hosting the fiesta. Drifting was first witnessed in Zimbabwe at the same venue in the 2015 edition of the competition when four South African drivers mesmerised the more than 3 000 spectators in attendance.

This time around, the field of drifters has been increased to five with event organisers promising fireworks.

A representative of the organising committee, Mano Zevgolis, said preparations for the event were now at an advanced stage and reckons the calibre of drifters drafted for the jamboree will leave the fans yearning.

“We are delighted to announce that drifting will return in the country as it has been incorporated in the 2017 edition of the Festival of Speed on August 6.

“Spectators should come in numbers to witness the spectacle as we have selected the best drifters from South Africa.

“Those who know drifting should be very much at home with names like Lee Roy Frans, Jim McFarlane, JP van der Spuy, Riaan Stokes and Mike Skelton, the five who are participating at this year’s event,” he said.

Besides drifting, the festival will also see drivers fighting for honours in the main circuit drag racing and other displays including karting, spinning as well as some 4×4 tug-of-war ties.

“What I can say is that, the Festival of Speed is the biggest motor-sport event in Zimbabwe.

“The festival brought virtually the whole city to a standstill the last time around and this year, it should even be bigger and better,” said Zevgolis, who is also into drag racing.

Meanwhile, the third round of the national motocross championships meant for the final selection of Team Zimbabwe to represent the country in the forthcoming FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations is on at Donnybrook this Sunday.

The 2017 phase of the annual FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations is pencilled for late August in Botswana.

Zimbabwe were not represented in last year’s race hosted by Kenya due to financial challenges.

But, this time, aided by proximity convenience, the country is raring to compete and this Sunday’s selection race is expected to attract a full house.

Manager for Team Zimbabwe, Gary Grainger, who is also the chairman of the Bogwheelers Club who run motocross in this country, said the stage is set for Sunday’s event.

“We are having a third national championship event at Donnybrook this Sunday.

“We are expecting a lot of riders as everyone wants to represent the country at the continental stage.

“All the eight classes as well as the Veterans and Masters are expected to battle it out for the right to represent Zimbabwe in Botswana.

“We are calling upon motor-sport fans to come and witness the competition and try to appreciate the sport. We have a very good bunch of riders and we will select the best team which will start training together until we depart for Botswana,” he said.