The Sunday News
Lovert Mafukure
December 7, mark the date! It’s not to be missed, its gonna be big and it’s a big deal. It marks 50 years of the Bulawayo Motorsport Park.
Built in 1969, it’s five decades old, a whole half of a century of engines screaming, turbos spooling and tyres caressing its black tarmac!
The three-hour event is the biggest motoring event of the year and this year it’s lined up for 7 December at the Bulawayo Motorsport Park fondly known as Falls Road circuit.
The endurance race in simple terms is like a last man standing match, the strongest man with the strongest car will last three hours and will take the trophy.
Endurance racing is a form of motorsport meant to test the durability of the cars and the endurance of the drivers. Teams therefore have to cover the most laps within the given time period. It tests the mental, physical and vehicular fitness, its 3 hours of no holds barred racing.
This year its not business as usual, 50 years isn’t a dolly house play story. There are 40 car entries so far and 16 bike entries. More entries are still coming in with drivers coming from as far as Australia and New Zealand just for this 50th anniversary of the Falls Road circuit. You do not want to miss this!
While we were celebrating 50 years of motor sport in Bulawayo, Denzil Bhana the motorsport veteran will be celebrating 25 years in motorsports and he is coming out with his unmistakable Austin Mini Cooper S.
Darren Pragji, the Stylin expert has been in the game for a while an he will be racing his Vw Polo 6R breaking his tradition and dumping the all time favorite 4A ge powered sunset Orange Datsun 1200.
His old faithful Datsun will however, get another chance to prove its fitness and impress the crowds like every other time, this time with a different driver! Ian Cordingly all the way from Australia will be gracing the event in this iconic car. Mike and Shayne Sissons, brothers will team up to race in their Lotus Super 7. Mike is coming all the way from New Zealand for this Derby.
Number 98 Mitsubishi Evo 4 will be competing and it’s none other than Dean Norman. He will be pushing the Normax motors tuned 4G63T Mitsubushi Evo 4, fighting to improve his score from last year.
Kimberly Martin will rep the ladies for the first time and she will be racing in a Mitsubishi Lancer. She will be partnering with Alex Vincent for this derby. Not to be outdone is Darren Winterboer, the master magician. He is pulling a hat-trick this time.
He is bringing an Alfa Giulietta and the current falls road circuit lap holder, the mighty, the beasty BMW 335i code named Boris! It’s gonna be a serious showdown. Is he gonna take the trophy again? You gotta be there to witness it!
Other drivers that have registered include Mike Laing with his 1600cc Honda Crx, Richard Robson racing the Toyota Supra and Barney Rodgers also racing the wankel rotary engine powered Mazda RX7. We have South African drivers who will grace the event as well.
The three-hour endurance race is traditionally sponsored by Castrol and Toyota, this year it’s no different, they are making it possible once again. Twenty dollars of the legal tender will get you a ticket and it’s free for children under the age of twelve. You have no reason not be there.
Gates open at 10am, full bar, catering and entertainment will be available, what more do you need to get you into that festive mood? Sprint races will start 1030hrs while the bikes 1hr Endurance race will start at 1230. The main event starting at 1500hrs ending at 1700hrs.
The Bulawayo Motoring club would like to urge all motorsport enthusiasts to drive safe this festive season and to race legally on the tracks in a controlled environment.
We do not need you to be another statistic on the road carnage list. Be safe, drive safely and if you have an insatiable thirst for racing bring yourself and your friends to the track — lets keep our roads safe.
Race the track not the street! See you at the Bulawayo Motorsport Park!
Proudy Brought to you by Automart Spares & service Centre – Quality Japanese Salvage Parts & Auto Breakers. +263 772 33 99 38 – [email protected]
