The 2015 motocross season is expected to come to an electrifying end with three days of gruelling action as the Summer Series roars to life at the Donnybrook Motorsport Park this week.
By Munyaradzi Madzokere
Four riders from three European countries namely Belgium, Germany and Netherlands are expected to add foreign flavour to this year’s event.
This is the first time that riders from abroad are taking part at the biggest motorcycling occasion since the late 80s. The event begins with two Supercross nights on Wednesday and Friday, before winding up with a day of full-throttle motocross action on Sunday.
At least 120 riders from seven different countries are expected to turn up at the country’s premier annual season-ending motorcycling experience.
Chairman of the Bogwheelers’ Club, which administers the Summer Series, Shaun Whyte, said they were expecting about 120 riders to compete at next week’s event.
“We are hoping to attract between 120 and 130 riders at the Summer Series. We are looking at at least 70 local riders, at least 30 from South Africa and a few from Botswana and Zambia,” he said.
Whyte said the idea behind bringing European riders was a ploy to lure South Africa’s best riders into entering the competition as they would relish the challenge posed by the Europeans.
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With that in mind, hopes are high that competition will be stiff this year. This year’s Summer Series was made possible by corporates such as Fuchs Oils Zimbabwe, Silkolene, Tandamanzi Drilling, Garfunkels, Jim Perry Transport, as well as the Bogwheelers Club.
Unlike continental motocross events which pit country teams against each other, the Summer Series gives individual riders a chance to shine. Top senior riders in the form of Ashley and Cameron Thixton are expected to lead the way for the Zimbabweans in the 125 cc and MX2 classes.
Another top contender in the 125cc category is Reagan Wasmuth, who recently earned a place in the South Africa Yamaha team for next year while Brad Perry and Josh Gobey have the capacity to excel in the same class.
Tristan Grainger, Davin Cocker, Lee Chigumba and Kuda Mhene will lead the way in the 85cc grouping as Daiyaan Manuel, Bigs Chitima as well as Emmanuel Bako battle for honour in 65cc.
In the 50cc Manuel Bako and Jordan Dewdney are expected to cause problems for the visitors.
