Let the engines roar

Challenge Rally bursts into life today.
The prestigious rally, sponsored by Toyota Zimbabwe, came into being in 1962 and has grown from strength to strength to become one of the toughest and exciting races across the globe.
It has provided action-packed entertainment for motor sports lovers.
The rally is the opening round of the eight-legged 2011 FIA African Rally Championship series and will be held in and around Harare. Donnybrook Raceway near Mabvuku is ready to accommodate thousands of motor racing in today’s opening Super Special Stage.
“We are expecting more than 15 top drivers from across all frontiers plus a bumper crowd as we intend to beat the 10 000 spectators who watched the Zambian Challenge last year,” boasted Mike Exton, the Zimbabwe Challenge Rally chairman.
The first day will see action at Donnybrook with day two to be staged in Ruwa and Norton staging the last day of the challenge on Sunday. Exton termed this year’s event as “bringing the sport to the people” and he has already predicted a historic showcase with all the ingredients of a classic event.
In other African countries such as Kenya and Uganda, motor rallying events, attract over 10 000 spectators.
The sport is the second-best crowd-puller in the mentioned nations after the world’s most popular sport – soccer.
“We started preparations for this year’s Toyota Zimbabwe Challenge Rally about six months ago and everything is now in place including an additional route which is crowd friendly.
“We have based our preparations on bringing the sport to the people as we want to prove that anyone can be part of the sport.
“This is a Zimbabwean motor rally event so let’s not expect somebody else to be part of the challenge but ourselves, let’s show the world that rallying is big in this country,” Exton said.
Besides the major routes, Special Stages will be held opposite the Rainbow Towers in Harare for the fans.
“Rallying has been through a lot difficult phases and at one time was unaffordable, but now it is growing as evidenced by the increasing number of two wheel drivers or N2 Class drivers.
“Generally, the sport is safe, as the cars are fitted with cages, special seats, fire extinguishers and excellent protective clothing. In terms of skills, the nation is there as we have many talented drivers such as Conrad Rauntenbach and Jamie Whyte,” Exton added.
One of the country’s top motor rally drivers Big “Bigs” Chitima and his co-driver Amos Chamunokara promised some fireworks this time around and the team is geared up to give it their best shot.
“Big (Chitima) drives big time and you should expect something big from the big man and hopefully the crowd will come in big numbers,” said Chamunokara.
Local businesswoman Laureen Marufu, the only black female motor rally driver in this country, is also worthy mentioning in her N2 Class as she celebrates her first anniversary in the sport. The sport only requires a car, of course, and you can be the next champion and the most important part of the rally is to finish the stages rather than winning.