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STAR ATTRACTION . . . South African dragster Reg Murray will once again be behind his Rail Car in today’s third round of the 2014 Telecel Drag Racing Series at Donnybrook in Harare

Collin Matiza Sports Editor
THE home of local motorsport — Donnybrook — will come alive today when it hosts the penultimate round of the exciting 2014 Telecel Drag Racing Series which will be graced by South African dragster Reg Murray. Today’s third round of the four-round 2014 Telecel Drag Racing Series will be followed tomorrow by the last round of the National Motocross Championship which attracts all the top riders from this country.

But real action at Donnybrook starts this morning when thousands of local motorsport enthusiasts are expected to throng this famous motor racing venue to watch the third round of the Telecel Drag Racing Series in which Murray will be the star attraction.

Murray arrived in Harare on Thursday from his base in Durban with his Rail Car and it his presence at Donnybrook today that will make this event more exciting as motor racing fans will be out to see what he has to offer in this meet.

“We take this opportunity to extend a warm welcome to Reg Murray from South Africa who will be attending with his Rail Car and also to our regular Bulawayo competitor, Terry Allberry,” said Susan Zevgolis, the secretary of the Dragpro Club, who run the sport of drag racing in Zimbabwe.

Murray will be racing at Donnybrook for the second time after having made his debut appearance at the same venue in July last year when he brought two cars — a Rail Car and a Chevair — but the former vehicle did not perform as expected as it developed some gearbox problems.

And now Murray will be hoping to redeem himself in front of the expected thousands of local motor racing fans when he takes his Rail Car to the track, racing against some of Zimbabwe’s top dragsters in what promises to be an action-packed day.

Zevgolis said they hope Murray’s presence in today’s event will help them to attract more competitors from South Africa in the future in their endeavour to have local drag racing have an international appeal.

She also said there would be new safety regulations for the spectators at today’s event.
“Dragpro Club would like to give motor racing fans advance warning that, in line with Health and Safety Regulations, there will be changes introduced at this event which will restrict spectator access to the track. These changes are being brought in for the safety and well-being of spectators and competitors alike.

“Spectators will no longer be allowed on the track, or in the start line area, under any circumstances. Guards and marshals will be on hand to explain. We do appeal to everyone for their understanding and co-operation in this regard.

“Anyone wanting to cross from one side of the track to the other will now have to drive or walk under the bridge. No access will be allowed across the track at any point. Thank you in advance for your understanding.

“Dragpro Club and its partners (Telecel, hp lubes/Castrol, Turbo Solutions Africa, Financial Gazette, DHL and Autobusiness Magazine) are looking forward to seeing competitors and racing fans for the penultimate event of the Telecel 2014 Drag Racing Series at Donnybrook Racetrack on Saturday (today),” Zevgolis added. One of the highlights of the day will undoubtedly be the on-going feud between the two fastest vehicles of previous events, these being the two Suzuki GSX-R 1000 Superbikes of Les Carlsson and Phil Archenoul. Both are mostly unmodified Stock machines from the Street, but have provided spectators with a thrilling example of the classic dual of the Quarter Mile Sprint — the World Standard of Drag Racing. With Elapsed times of around 10,4 seconds from a standing start, and Terminal speeds in the region of 230kph, it is testament to the mighty power and capability of these modern machines.

In the car classes, the reigning machine to beat is the AC Cobra of Alan Cacace. Fans were hoping to witness the long awaited return of either the Subaru WRX STI driven by Kevin Allmark, or the equally iconic yellow Beach Buggy previously owned and driven by the late drag racing pioneer, Patrick O’Hara, to put up a worthy contest against the AC Cobra, but for the time being it seems racing fans will have to wait a little longer for this highly anticipated “Battle of the Kings”.

The Sound Off Competition sponsored by Audiocity will also be held on the day which pits competing vehicles with high-end car audio installations against each other for various categories including most powerful installation.

Entry fee for the spectators has been pegged at US$5 per car. Racing starts at around 11:30am and Donnybrook is the place to be today!