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Jefferies

Collin Matiza Sports Editor
ZIMBABWE’S “Young Gun” and Formula One racing hopeful Axcil Jefferies once again showed his mettle and inner strength to finish fifth overall on the streets of Houston, Texas, in the United States at the weekend.
The result is all the more sweeter; as not only did Jefferies conquer the treacherous streets of Houston but overcame some very questionable officialdom.

Due to a delay in the schedule, the qualifying session was controversially changed to a practice session and a decision was made for grid positions for the start of the race to go according to championship positions.

So even though Jefferies had qualified sixth, he had to start the race from the back of the field due to the fact that he has not been part of the whole championship.

The decision clearly angered Jefferies as he posted on his Facebook that he “felt aggrieved, and had not come across or heard of decisions like that before”.

His race team Bryan Hurta Autosport and management team fought hard in his corner to reverse the decision but to no avail, leaving Jefferies with the most difficult of tasks — starting from the back of the field.

But for those who have followed Jefferies’ career, it is a fact that he smiles in the face of adversity and has always overcome challenges before him.

Like a true African Lion, he kept his cool, was calculating and hunted down the opposition, working his way through the field in the 45-lap race to finish a very respectable fifth.

Speaking from Houston, Jefferies had this to say: “We knew it was going to be tough out there. I had not driven on a street circuit since 2009 in Macau, China, but was totally in shock to hear I would be starting from the back of the field.

It is virtually impossible to overtake on street circuits! On lap times we qualified sixth which was an awesome result, so it left me disappointed. However, by the grace of God, I had one of my best races and kept my calm and worked through to finish fifth.

“It was much better than expected, so we are really happy at the end of the weekend.
“A big thanks goes out to my team Bryan Hurta Autosport, my sponsors SGI and American Honda for the opportunity.”