daniel chigunwe
Collin Matiza
Sports Editor
DONNYBROOK Park Raceway in Harare — the traditional home of motorsport competitions in this country — will once again come alive this Sunday when it hosts the penultimate round of the 2023 Bogwheelers Club National Motocross Championship series.
The event comes after most local senior and junior riders had taken an almost six-week break following their participation at the 2023 FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations Championships which were held from August 11 to 13 in Cape Town, South Africa.
At this year’s FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations Championships, Zimbabwean riders performed exceptionally well as they helped their country to finish second overall behind the hosts and perennial winners South Africa.
And after taking a well deserved break following their exploits on the famous Zone 7 track in Cape Town, it’s now back to work for the local riders as they once again tackle the track in the fifth round of the six-round 2023 National Motocross Championship series at Donnybrook Park Raceway in Harare on Sunday. They will all be seeking to pick up some points in their quest to be crowned the 2023 National Champions in the different classes they will be competing in.
And this points out to another tense and exciting day on the track as the riders will be jostling to get a place on the podium and tighten their grip at the top of the class standings at the business end of Sunday’s event.
And out to take the centre stage (as usual) will be 17-year-old Emmanuel Bako who will be back riding in the seniors 125cc Class and MX2 Class.
Although Bako, an ‘O’ Level pupil at St John’s College in Harare, missed the first three rounds of this year’s National Championship series and is lying in eighth place in the 125cc Class standings with 37 points, he will be out to give the top three riders in this class – Riley Rocher (72 points), Jack Gobey (70 points) and Joshua Pike (69 points) – a good run for their money on Sunday.
Bako’s father and manager, Brighton “Bucks” Bako, confirmed yesterday that his son will compete in Sunday’s race meeting where he wants to leave a mark in both the 125cc and MX2 classes.
“We are definitely going to take part in Sunday’s race meeting and Emmanuel will come out with all his guns blazing.
“He will be looking for nothing less than a top place on the podium at the end of this event. So, you should expect some fireworks from him on Sunday,” the flamboyant Brighton Bako said.
Seasoned campaigner Ashley Thixton is the run away leader in the MX1 Senior Open Class with 120 points and is well ahead of his nearest challengers Doug Mellor (90 points) and Dylan Zanin (62 points).
Thixton confirmed yesterday that he will be part of Sunday’s motocross jamboree at Donnybrook but he would take it easy as he is currently preparing for next January’s Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia and would like to avoid any injuries. “On Sunday, motocross fans will watch possibly a very conservative Ash Thixton as I can’t afford injuries at this stage.
“I seem to have a pretty convincing lead In the MX1 championship so I just need to bring it home,” Thixton told Zimpapers Sports yesterday.
He is set to grace the track on Sunday with his father, Trevor Thixton, who races in the Veterans Class. Trevor is one of the most decorated motocross riders in this country.
Young Daiyaan “D” Manuel is leading the way in the MX2 Class with 90 points and is the firm favourite to win this class on Sunday ahead of second-placed Regan Wasmuth (86 points) and third-placed Emmanuel Bako (54 points).
An exciting battle for top place is expected in the MX Lites 85cc Class where the current class leader Riley Rocher (117 points) should be pushed to the limit by second-placed Tariq Shelton (101 points) and third-placed Karl van As, who is sitting on 92 points.
Kudzwai Chitsurura is sitting pretty at the top of the juniors 65cc Class with 139 points and he will be out to keep his closest rivals Elroy Shamuyarira (118 points) and nine-year-old Victor Nyamupfukudza (112 points) at bay on Sunday.
Another promising young rider Jayden Kerwin will be in contention in the 65cc Class on Sunday. Meanwhile, Nyamupfukudza will also be competing in the 50cc Class where he is leading the way with a massive 152 points, 10 ahead of his nearest challenger Cameron Fraser.
A Grade Four pupil at Elland Oak Junior School in the Waterfalls area of Harare, Nyamupfukudza is currently basking in glory after helping Zimbabwe to finish second at this year’s FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations Championships in Cape Town last month.
He was the most outstanding rider among the locals as he finished third overall in the 50cc Class to walk away with a bronze medal and a trophy – a remarkable achievement for the young rider.
Nyamupfukudza’s father and manager, Simbarashe Nyamupfukudza, yesterday told Zimpapers Sports that his son had been training hard for the past couple of weeks in preparation for Sunday’s event.
“Victor just took a short break after his return from the FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations Championships in Cape Town and he recently returned to some serious training in preparation for this Sunday’s event at Donnybrook.
“He has some serious business to take care of on Sunday and is looking for nothing short of a top place on the podium in both the 50cc and 65cc classes that he will be competing in.
“I’m urging Victor’s fans and followers to come and watch him in action at Donnybrook in their numbers on Sunday… he will not disappoint them,” Simbarashe Nyamupfukudza said.
Racing on Sunday starts at 9am and there will be full bar and catering. Entry fee for the spectators has been pegged at US$5 per person and children under the age eight will get in for free.
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