The curtain comes down on a thrilling Main Circuit racing season when the Hamish Cameron Grand Prix lights up the Toyota Donnybrook Raceway in Harare on Sunday.
By Munyaradzi Madzokere
It promises to be a thrilling encounter in the seven-round championships, despite the fact that both motorcycle competitions have already been decided, with veteran rider Phil Archenoul as well as the sensational lady rider Tiffany Fisher having already bagged the respective titles.
Fisher, only in her third season competing with men, took an unassailable lead at the top of the Megelli Class standings in the previous round in Bulawayo, while Archenoul is already the winner in the Superbike division.
It is in the cars division where the tussle for the season’s bragging rights will be dense, with interesting match-ups in store in this heavy package.
Darryl Archibald currently leads Kevin Allmark in the furiously-contested unlimited saloons.
Richard Robinson’s fast turbo-charged Toyota Corolla, Barney Rogers in his Rotary Mitsubishi and Ian Howden in his new Kit car, sponsored by Shield, will be fighting to show that they are kings of the track on the day.
Toyota-sponsored Hilton Harunavamwe will be hoping to take the two-litre class championship ahead of the consistent Dimitrios Zevgolis and Julian van Vuuran, both from Bulawayo.
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The biggest field of the day should be the 1600cc saloon car class with at least 10 competitors, including the much-awaited motor cycle powered mini-kit car owned by Arthur Browel.
Denzil Bhana and Bob Beaver both have the conventional mini’s and it will be interesting to see if they can keep up with the new car.
Harare’s Steve Murton has already won this National Championship in his beautifully-prepared car, but will certainly not have a free ride to the winner’s podium on the day.
Former Zimbabwe cricket star, Barney Rogers, in a Guard Alert Sponsored Super Seven, is expected to get the better of schoolboy Fanie van der Linde in a similar rotary-powered, seven ahead of Eric Heard in his Yamaha-powered seven in the unlimited sports car class.
South African 15-year-old motor bike sensation, Cameron Aitken, has confirmed his participation in the motorcycles class and is sure to add flare to the spectacle.
With pride more than anything at stake, at least 20 riders should turn out on the day to claim the race honours in the motorcycle class.
Dave Mouat and Les Karlson should push Archenoul in the unlimited class, who will have his hands full staying ahead of Aitken — young enough to be his grandson.
Although Fisher has won the championship, multiple champion Shawn Whyte will provide the entertainment on the day with his skills.
Once again, the race sponsors — father and son, John and Brett Cameron respectively from Hamish Cameron —are fighting neck to neck for the 1600cc championship and John is currently one point ahead.
Practice is on from 8am in the morning with racing starting at 12 noon.
Entrance is $5 per person (under 12-free) and there is full bar, catering and children’s entertainment in the form of jumping castles.
