IT is a big week for Zimbabwe motocross as the country hosts the 2015 FIM Africa Motocross for African Nations set for Donnybrook Raceway on Saturday.
By Munyaradzi Madzokere
After coming agonisingly close to winning this event in Zambia last year before ceding the top spot to giants South Africa, Zimbabwe has the perfect opportunity to get their revenge as hosts to the gripping motor racing occasion.
Botswana were the initial hosts but indicated to FIM Africa that they would not be able to stage the championships. The Bogwheelers Club who run motocross in the country grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
Zimbabwe has selected a 74-member team, the biggest they have managed to field at this event, to drive the country to African motocross glory against six countries namely South Africa, Zambia, Kenya, Swaziland, Uganda and Botswana.
Speaking to Standardsport, Zimbabwe Motorsport Federation spokesperson, Temba Mazvimbakupa established that the local team is ready for the competition.
“Our chances of winning these African Championships are very bright because we have a very strong team and the guys are looking sharp and ready to fly the country’s flag high. Our biggest strengths are in MX1 as well as the junior classes where I see us dominating,” he said.
“We finished second to South Africa in Zambia last year and this is a perfect opportunity to fight back since this time around we are at home. We are obviously wary of South Africa and Uganda who I believe are our biggest threats,” he added.
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Twelve-time Zimbabwe champion, Ashley Thixton (22), who also boasts of seven podium finishes at FIM events, will captain the team while he also competes in the MX2.
Thixton takes over from Jaden Ashwell who is part of the team and is almost unbeatable at Donnybrook.
Motocross sensation Emmanuel Bako who leads the South African Championship where he has exhibited constant form since the season started is a sure bet of a medal for team Zimbabwe in the MX 50 class.
The junior classes are awash with medal hopefuls in the mould of reigning South African Motocross Champions Daaiyan Manuel (MX 65), Ryan Masimo (MX65), Davin Cocker (MX85), Mudiwa Chigumba (MX85), Jordan Dewdney (MX 50) and Lee Chigumba (MX 50), among others.
In the MX125 class, Regan Wasmuth is the man to watch having won a lot of medals on the regional stage as well as at the FIM Africa Championships, while Bradley Perry also carries pedigree to cause an upset in the same class.
Zimbabwe this time has three ladies in the team, with 10-year-old Tanya Muzinda leading the chase for medals and points alongside Leigh-Anne Young (14) and Celine Goodinson (16).
Mazvimbakupa also assured of the country’s preparedness to host the continental motocross competition.
“It’s all systems go. The track is in a superb condition and the timing system is in place. Dress rehearsal was held last weekend and the track was given thumbs up by FIM officials,” he said.
Tandamanzi Drilling, Fuchs Zimbabwe Motor Distributors, Garfunkels, Silkolene and Yamha Marine Centre are some of the sponsors who have made the hosting of the event a reality.
