Collin Matiza-Zimpapers Sports Hub
IT’S the big one!
And it’s being dubbed “The Race of the Year”!
Donnybrook Park Raceway track in Harare will explode into life this Sunday as Zimbabwe’s fastest racers contest the final round of the Zimbabwe National Championships at the Shield Race Day.
Although some main circuit motor racing drivers have already clinched their Class titles, there are still several trophies up for grabs, most notably in the 1600cc Saloon Car Class. Vernon Lapham has powered his Toyota Corolla into a slender lead over Steve Murton, and with 20 points available on Sunday, whoever wins will take the championship.
However, this is the largest class, with 11 drivers having scored points this year, so a win is never guaranteed.
An interesting situation has arisen in the Unlimited Saloon Championship.
Hamish Perry (BMW Turbo) has dominated the races this year, both in Harare and Bulawayo, but his teammate Jim Perry has consistently placed on the podium in all the heats.
Jim is mathematically able to tie the championship on Sunday, which will necessitate a count off of wins to decide the winner.
If veteran driver Richard “Mahobho” Robinson is able to win in his Supra Turbo, then Hamish is champion.
Shield Car Care returns to Donnybrook to sponsor this race meeting, having previously supported both the Subaru WRX STI and the Supra Turbo of racing legend Ian Howden.
They also sponsored the Super 7 of Gary Bluett, and that same car will be back on the track in the hands of Brett Olsen to contest the Sports Car Class.
Olsen has been a front runner this year, but the championship points lead is actually shared by Maurizio Savo and Gary Kirk. Gary Bluett has moved on to the 2000cc Turbo class, and his Ezytrack Mitsubishi Evo holds second place behind the similar car of Bulawayo driver Kevin Steenkamp.
The revelation of the year has been Harare driver Onismo Mhute.
In his first full season on the Donnybrook track, he has driven fast and cleverly to lead the 2000cc Saloon Class in his Toyota, and with an unassailable points lead, he will be crowned champion on Sunday.
Born and bred in Harare’s high-density suburb of Mabvuku, which is adjacent to Donnybrook Park Raceway, Mhute has just been a revelation this season.
Mhute (41) was introduced to main circuit racing by local champion driver Mano Zevgolis after having spent a number of years in drag racing.
On Sunday, he will also join all the other drivers in the Shield Grand Prix, which is a season ending handicap race for the prestigious Rob Rushforth Memorial Trophy, open to all cars irrespective of class. All roads on Sunday lead to Donnybrook Park Raceway for what promises to be an exciting day of motor racing.
Racing on Sunday will start at 11am.
