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Collin Matiza and Takudzwa Chitsiga
TWO Belgians, a Dutchman and a German are set to add some international flavour to this year’s Zimbabwe Summer Series set for Donnybrook Raceway in Harare on December 9, 11 and 13. The Zimbabwe Summer Series is the country’s season-ending premier motorcycling event which is held annually during the second week of December and usually brings together top junior and senior motocross riders from the United States, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Botswana and Zambia.

This year’s event will consist of two Supercross (night racing) meetings on December 9 and 11 which will be followed by a full day of motocross action on the last day of competition on December 13.

And this year’s Zimbabwe Summer Series promises to be more exciting with the news that four riders from Europe will grace this event, starting with next Wednesday night’s Supercross action at Donnybrook.

Shaun Whyte, the chairman of the Bogwheelers Club who run the motorcycling sport of motocross in Zimbabwe, revealed yesterday that two riders from Belgium, one from Germany and the Netherlands have indicated that they will be here to compete in next week’s Zimbabwe Summer Series.

“From the Southern African Region, we are expecting a lot of riders who include the South African MX2 Class champion as well as Ross Branch from Botswana who will prove to be competitive.

“In terms of preparations for this year’s Zimbabwe Summer Series, everything is in order and we will formalise everything after tomorrow’s (today’s) meeting,” Whyte said.

But it is the expected arrival of the four European riders from Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany that is likely to add more spark to this year’s Zimbabwe Summer Series which always has some high octane of Supercross and motocross action in it.

The presence of Botswana’s top MX1 Class rider Branch, who will be joined by a large number of top South African riders, will definitely set the scene alight during the three days of action at Donnybrook next Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Last year, South Africa, who are now a permanent fixture at the Zimbabwe Summer Series, sent more than six riders who were led by one of that country’s top bikers Michael Kok who competed in the main MX1 Class.

Kok was just a joy to watch during last year’s Zimbabwe Summer Series in which he produced some stunning performances to emerge as the overall winner of the MX1 Class ahead of his fellow countrymen Ryan Angilley and David Goosen who came second and third.

It could not be established yesterday whether Kok will be part of the South African team that will be making its way to Harare next week.

Last year, Zimbabwe fielded a strong team of more than 50 of its top junior and senior riders and a much larger number of bikers from this country is expected to enter what promises to be another exciting Zimbabwe Summer Series at their favourite hunting ground, Donnybrook.

Zimbabwe’s top senior motocross riders such as Ashley and Cameron Thixton, Craig Burl, Farnie van der Linde, Brian McDonell, Justin John, Jared Petker, Jacques du Plessis, Mitchell Stead, Michael Bonham, Josh and Broc Thomas, Cole Bond and Craig Archenoul are all expected to be at Donnybrook next week fighting for the top honours in the MX1 and MX2 classes with the foreign visitors.

They will be joined on the track for the three days of action by a host of the country’s top junior riders who include the talented Emmanuel Bako, Kuda Mhene (Jnr), Daiyaan Manuel, Ryan Masimo, Regan Wasmuth, Tristan Grainger, Reagan Bond, Lee and Mudiwa Chigumba, Davin Cocker, Mark Webb, Big “BJ” Chitima, Ricky Whyte, Nicholas Fremantle, Jordan Dewdney, the Musariri brothers Justin, Nyasha and Majaji and top female biker Tanya Muzinda.

These young riders are expected to compete in either the 50cc, 65cc or 125cc classes where they will face opposition from bikers from South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Kenya and Uganda.