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Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
TEMBA Mazvimbakupa of the Zimbabwe Motorsport Federation has hailed the recently held Zimbabwe Summer Series which he said was a great success. The Zimbabwe Summer Series is the country’s premier motorcycling event held annually at Donnybrook Raceway in Harare during the second week of December and this year’s three-day competition brought together junior and senior motocross riders from the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and the hosts Zimbabwe.

This year’s event, which consisted of two Supercross (night racing) race meetings and one motocross competition, was dominated by foreign riders although the competitors could not finish all the heats as the rains which hit Harare late last week disturbed part of the series on Friday and Sunday.

But Mazvimbakupa said it was good that they managed to have a good turnout of both competitors and spectators at this year’s Zimbabwe Summer Series where the level of competition was high as compared to last year’s.

“We managed to complete all the three days of competition and we are happy that everyone is happy with this year’s level of competition and the local riders managed to do well.

“We are basing on the good junior development which has seen several young boys and girls doing well and our seniors did not disappoint as Ashley Thixton stood his ground in the MX2 Class,” he said.

Mazvimbakupa praised the young Zimbabwean riders whom he said carries the nation’s hope in the future as long as they get the much-needed support.

“We have young riders who are capable of going a long way if they continue to get our support.

“There are junior riders like Travis da Silva, Jordan Dewdney, Emmanuel Bako, Tanya Muzinda, Big ‘BJ’ Chitima (Jnr) as well as Daiyaan Manuel who are capable of doing well if they are given the necessary support.

“We had over 1 000 spectators on Wednesday and Friday; and on Sunday the numbers dwindled because of the rains but it was not very bad a turnout. We are grateful that we managed to bring back most of our sponsors on board again this year which helped us a lot,” Mazvimbakupa added.

The local seniors did not disappoint as they raced against professionals who are always on tour.

“Our guys do the racing as part-time and giving a challenge to someone who is a professional rider shows we are in the right track.

“The participation by foreigners especially from South Africa and Europe is so encouraging and as the season close we hope to see them again next year,” Mazvimbakupa said.

While the foreign riders dominated in the main MX1 and MX2 classes, the young Zimbabwean bikers did not disappoint as the exciting Daiyaan Manuel came out tops in the 65cc A Class ahead of Big “BJ” Chitima (Jnr) and Emmanuel Bako.

The country’s top female rider Tanya Muzinda also did well in the series as she came fourth overall in the 65cc A Class in which she competed with the boys.