adminCollin Matiza Sports Editor
A RECORD number of cars and bikes of all makes have been entered for tomorrow’s action-packed Toyota Raceday main circuit racing at Donnybrook Raceway in Harare.
Temba Mazvimbakupa of the Zimbabwe Motorsport Federation said yesterday that 40 cars and 20 bikes will be burning the track at Donnybrook tomorrow in one of the biggest motor racing events to be staged at the home of local motorsport this year.
“New vehicles will also be racing for the first time at this exciting event and a new racing format, a one hour Enduro for cars and 30 minutes for bikes, will be introduced on Sunday at Donnybrook.
“Cars and motorbikes will battle it out throughout the day culminating with the main race of the day – the Toyota 40-lap Endurance Race,” Mazvimbakupa said.
And a full house is expected at Donnybrook tomorrow as thousands of local motor racing enthusiasts throng this popular motorsport venue in Harare to watch some of the country’s top drivers and bikers in action in main circuit racing which is now just as popular as the crowd-pulling drag racing series.
Class B for Saloon cars up to 2000cc has returned after an absence of almost 20 years and is proving to be very competitive and growing in numbers at every meeting.
The top two contenders currently in the championship are Jimmy Zevgolis (VW Golf) from Bulawayo and the up and coming Hilton Harunavamwe in the Toyota Zimbabwe Dream Car Supra.
These two will continue their battle for the championship whilst Ian Howden in the Toyota powered Focus Hatch will be out to spoil their fun.
Johnny Rodrigues in an Anglia and Clayton Green in the Opel Kadett will also be hoping for some points.
Class C for Saloon cars up to 1600cc is the mostly keenly contested class in this series and is well known for its close racing and fierce rivalry.
Steve Murton in the impressive Toyota Corolla, affectionately nicknamed “Captain Slow”, has had things his own way for most of the season and has a healthy points lead in the championship.
The arrival of Denzil Bhana from Bulawayo in the ridiculously quick Toyota powered Anglia should prove stiff opposition for Murton with a host of Toyota Corolla 20 valves driven by the likes of Nicholas Berkau and Cameron Thixton breathing down their necks.
In the Toyota MR2 brigade, Gary Flack and Mike Exton will be very quick and up at the front fighting for a place.
They will be ably assisted by Craig Green and Richard Smith also in Toyota MR2’s. Bob Beaver from Bulawayo will also be vying for honours in the ultra-reliable Mini.
The class C field provides some of the closest, most exiting racing on the circuit and is the perfect class for those wanting to start in the sport of motor racing.
After the lunch-break, the two main races of the day will be staged.
The first is the motorcycle 30-minute endurance. The Megelli and Superbike classes will run together in a scratch race that will last for 30 minutes plus 1 lap.
This will test the endurance of the riders and the bikes over an extended race distance, which will take its toll on tyres and fuel loads on these machines.
In this type of race it is not always the fastest bike that finishes first, so don’t be surprised if some of the underdogs pull something out of the bag.
The final and main race of the day will be the Toyota Zimbabwe 40 Lap Endurance Race. The combined classes of the Sports and Saloon Cars will compete against each other over 40 laps which will have a compulsory pit stop for all the cars.
The bigger, faster cars will probably have to take on fuel and change tyres, while the smaller cars will be able to make up time by just driving into the pits, stopping, and driving straight out.
This will level the playing field and have the faster cars playing catch up as the race progresses. Usually there is much excitement at the pit stops and spectators will have a great time trying to sort out the tortoises from the hares.
The race will have a rolling start in the same style as the Le Mans 24 Hour Race.
This proves to be very exciting and the sight of over 40 race cars thundering off the line is something to remember.
Before the two main races, the drivers and riders will be paraded around the circuit in open vehicles.
This will give the spectators a view of some of their favourites who are usually hidden behind a helmet.
The pit area at Donnybrook is a vibrant hub of activity, and spectators are welcome to walk through and see some of the cars and bikes up close and to meet with drivers, riders, pit crews and officials.
Anyone interested in starting up in motorsport is welcome to chat to the teams and officials and will be welcomed with a smile and some help and advice.
Qualifying and racing starts at 10am and admission is $5 per person.
Children under the age of 12 are admitted free. The circuit has many excellent viewing points with ablutions close at hand.
There will be full bar and catering facilities around the circuit and entertainment for the kids including jumping castles.
Online Reporter