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Emmanuel Bako

Collin Matiza Sports Editor
YOUNG Zimbabwean motocross rider Emmanuel Bako was left in tears on Saturday after he was “robbed” of the 50cc Pro title at the end of the 2015 Monster Energy South African National Championship series at Smoking Pistons in Johannesburg.

The nine-year-old Heritage Primary School’s Grade Three pupil came third overall on Saturday and this saw him finishing the tough seven-round series tied on points (262) with South Africa’s James Thompson at the top of the 50cc Pro final standings.

Bako initially thought that he was going to be crowned the champion but much to his surprise, Thompson was declared the winner on the strength of having recorded more first place finishes during the seven-round season which got underway in February at Harrismith in Free State and ended on Saturday at Smoking Pistons in Johannesburg.

And Bako’s father, Brighton, cried foul after his son was denied the chance of being crowned the 2015 South African National Championship’s 50cc Pro champion on a technicality.

“I think they (the organisers of the South African National Championship series) fixed the outcome of the final results because we went into Saturday’s final race meeting 10 points clear of Thompson and we didn’t need a podium place to win the title.

“We needed even to finish fourth or fifth overall on Saturday but at the end of the day, the organisers said Emmanuel and Thompson had amassed the same number of points (262) and they declared their own South African rider (Thompson) as the winner of this year’s 50cc Pro title, claiming that he recorded more first-place finishes than Emmanuel during the series.

“This just came out of the blue and to say we were upset is an understatement. We were all left devastated and confused because we thought we had the title in the bag after finishing third overall on Saturday . . . It was a daylight robbery.

“But I’m very happy for my boy because as far as I’m concerned he is a champion and I’m really proud of him because he really gave the South African riders a good run for their money during the whole series and deep down their hearts, they know that he won the title,” Brighton Bako said.

While, young Emmanuel Bako left Smoking Pistons in tears after he was forced to settle for a silver medal in the 50cc Pro Class, his fellow Zimbabwean rider Regan Wasmuth was satisfied with his performance in the 125cc High School Class in which he finished fifth overall after the tough seven rounds.

Wasmuth’s father and trainer, Warren, said his 13-year-old son gave it his best shot during this year’s South African National Championship series in which he was riding in the 125cc Class for the first time.

“So we have come to the end of a very demanding year of the South African National Championship series and Regan achieved better results than we anticipated when we initially decided to go up to the 125cc Class early this year. Thanks to Clive Avis and Laren Van Der Westhuizen for the good advice.

“Regan improved steadily through the season with the highlight being his second place overall in the FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations Championship.

“His results in the South African National Championship series left him in fifth place overall, which is a handful of places better than expected and will leave him poised to fight for the Championship next year.

“The support we have received this year is humbling to say the least. Thanks to Gary Grainger for all the help this year, his unconditional support is appreciated.

“I would also like to thank Shaun Whyte, Trevor Thixton, Victoria Macray, Andy Freemantle and Lofty Versfeld for always supporting us with Regan’s racing.

“To our family in South Africa and Matthew Taylor, thank you for all the support and help you gave Regan. Ashleigh Wasmuth Taylor and Carol Ann Wasmuth (thank you) for always being there for us and helping out with the boys.

“I would also like to thank all our sponsors — Thor, Eury Mlimi, Fuchs Silkolene Zimbabwe, Harare Hyperbaric, Paul Sparkes, Racestar Graffix and Richie van der Westhuizen. God bless you all,” Wasmuth said.