adminCaroline Magenga Sports Reporter
THE country’s main season-ending motorcycling event, the Zimbabwe Summer Series, is slated for December 10, 12 and 14 at the home of local motorsport – Donnybrook – in Harare.
Top riders from neighbouring countries such as South Africa, Botswana and Zambia will meet the country’s best motocross racers in what promises to be an epic clash on the race track.
East African countries Kenya and Uganda are also expected to send some of their top riders at this event which will kick-start with two Supercross challenges (night racing) on December 10 and 12; and conclude with a motocross event on December 14.
Shaun Whyte, the chairman of Bogwheelers Club who run the motorcycling sport of motocross in Zimbabwe, said they were expecting at least 25 foreign riders from the visiting countries.
“It (the Zimbabwe Summer Series) is one of the biggest and most exciting events on our calendar and certainly the most challenging but we are really looking forward to it.
“We are expecting at least 25 foreign riders although at the moment only 15 have confirmed their participation.
“Of those we have received communication from, I can confirm that South African champion Michael Kok, reigning Summer Series champion Kerim Fitzgerald, top riders David Goosen and Ross Brunch will make up part of the competing lot.
“It will be really tough for our riders because all of the best riders in those visiting countries will be racing here, but I am confident our boys will give a good account of themselves, particularly in the popular senior class where we will have the country’s star attraction Jayden Ashwell racing,” said Whyte.
And Ashwell will be the man to beat as he will be out to redeem himself after he finished 16th overall at the Monster Energy Supercross Africa that was held at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa.
Last weekend, Loftus Versfeld hosted the first ever Monster Energy Supercross Africa event, with a purse of US$50 000. American Josh Hill won the event and US$20 000. Fellow American Cody Gilmore finished second ahead of South African Michael Docherty.
Hill may not have a ride yet for 2015, but the former RCH rider is US$20 000 better off after winning the inaugural Monster Energy Supercross Africa at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria last weekend.
Hosting a field made up of Americans, French, British and African riders, Hill led the main event from start to finish on his Monster Energy-backed Kawasaki ahead of fellow American Gilmore who picked up one of his biggest paycheques of his career with US$10 000 for his second place finish. In third was South African rider Docherty who stayed ahead of a charging Jake Weimer after falling in the first turn.
But Ashwell found the going tough at this event and all eyes will once again be on him as he tackles the track during the forthcoming Zimbabwe Summer Series event at Donnybrook.
“This time I believe he (Jayden Ashwell) will have an upper-hand as he will be racing on familiar home turf in front of a home crowd which should be to his advantage.
“After watching his performance and that of other local riders like young Daiyaan Manuel, I am confident this year’s series will be dominated by our local riders,” added Whyte.
Apart from Manuel, an array of the country’s other top junior motocrossers such as Kuda Mhene (Jnr), Emmanuel Bako, Mudiwa and Lee Chigumba, Wade Ashwell, Ryan Masimo, Davin Cocker, Ricky Whyte, Tanya Muzinda, Tyler and Mike Mawarire, Big “Bj” Chitima (Jnr) and Tristan Grainger are all expected to take part in this year’s Zimbabwe Summer Series at Donnybrook.
This bunch of young riders has been a joy to watch every time they get onto the track and they are definitely going to illuminate the stage with their eye-catching riding skills during this year’s Zimbabwe Summer Series at Donnybrook.
They will be joined in the series by senior riders Tafadzwa Mawarire and Ashley Thixton who have both been doing well in the 125cc and MX2 classes this year.
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