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Collin Matiza

Sports Editor

THE 2021 motocross season will not start anytime soon.

Although Motorsport Zimbabwe were given the greenlight by the Sports Commission, to resume their activities three weeks ago, motocross riders will have to wait a little bit longer before they can take part in a competitive race meeting.

The Bogwheelers Club, who run this exciting motorcycling sport in Zimbabwe, are still waiting to get the official go-ahead from relevant authorities.

There were early indications the 2021 motocross season would start with a Club Championship event, at Donnybrook Park Raceway in Harare, tomorrow.

But, Phil dos Santos, the chairman of the Bogwheelers Club, told The Herald they will only start racing competitively, once they have been given the all-clear by the Sports Commission, through Motorsport Zimbabwe.

“No, there is no racing at Donnybrook this Sunday. We are allowed to resume the normal riding activity, such as practice etc. 

“We have to get special permission, in order to have a race event, things are not clearly specified so we don’t know exactly what all the statements cover.

“Clarity is important, we haven’t been notified, in writing, of that yet. 

“The Sports Commission have to advise us as we are guided by them. 

“Their instruction to us is to seek permission to race again. 

“Motorsport Zimbabwe will have to seek permission from the Sports Commission for all motorsport racing activities to resume, every official race meeting needs a licence, and only they will issue it per event,” dos Santos said.

This latest development has also forced junior motocross champion rider, Emmanuel Bako, to revise his racing plans for this weekend.

Bako was expecting to take part in the opening Club Championship event at Donnybrook.

The 14-year-old rider will this weekend return to race in the South African circuit.

Bako’s father and manager, Brighton, said his son will today take part in another regional competition in South Africa.

“We were expecting to take part in the opening Club Championship event at Donnybrook this weekend, as indicated by the 2021 Motorsport Zimbabwe calendar of events, but since this race meeting has been shelved, we are now returning to race in South Africa on Saturday.

“Emmanuel will be taking part in the second round of the 2021 NRMX Regional Championship at SandTrax in Sasolburg where we are expecting him to do well,” Brighton said.

Emmanuel has been racing in South Africa, since the beginning of the year, taking part in the South African National Championship series, and in a number of regional events, in that country.