The Sunday News
Lovert Mafukure
They say boys never grow up, only their toys get bigger and more expensive. From pushing plastic or wire cars to pushing real cars across the quarter mile line.
It’s all passion — passion for speed, passion for winning and passion for that adrenalin rush but above all its passion for all things motoring.
Amid the turmoil in the country, the fun isn’t stopping because we have the 2nd lag of this year’s drags on 4 August. The motto is the same, Race the track and not the streets. I always say, Drag racing is a sport unlike any other because it requires a certain level of skill but besides skill, it requires one to have two balls whereas other sports require players to haggle around a field with one ball so, if you have a set come and experience what you won’t experience anywhere else. Come and burn your tyres, come and race and above all come and have fun.
All car clubs are invited to come and battle it out, all new faces are most welcome to have a feel of the track. The Bulawayo Motoring Club (BMC) has designed such an event for all the pedal happy petrol heads that believe their cars have what it takes. If clubs want to race against their on its all welcome.
The last drags on 25 May had John Pietersen coming out fastest with best quarter time of 12,61. He was hauling his 6,1l V8 Lumina SS Ute. Dean Norman with his 4 banger turbo Mitsubishi Evo 4 was tight on John’s bum managing a cool 13,04. His father Byron Norman also with an Evo 4 was just 2 seconds shy of beating his son.
There’s a monster that’s coming out of the closet this time, it’s the mighty Cobra! Not the one you are thinking of but Terry Allberry’s super nitrous fed V8 Cobra. The Cobra is one of the fastest and coming to scare all the small boys with its 11 second status. The cobra has been hibernating for a while now so we are all waiting to see what monstery tricks it’s got under its sleeve.
The idea behind drag racing series is to bring all the street racers to a controlled environment where they can race and prove that they are not just keyboard racers hiding behind computer and smartphone screens. Now, to spice things up all the car crews out there are invited to come and battle it out even against their own. We all know that beefs know no car-crew boundaries and car guys have some of the biggest mouths.
We really want to see which crew has the fastest cars and the fastest drivers. Some say it’s all about the car, some say it’s all about the driver . . . we will see on the 4th. More racing and less talking.
For those that may not know, Drag racing is a type of motorsport that involves two cars or bikes competing to be the first to cross the finish line over a short set distance. It’s usually a quarter mile and the first car to cross the quarter mile line wins. This is a sport that requires a controlled environment as it is dangerous. .
All competitors will need to buy a days’ licence for a small fee of ZWL$15,00 and it’s ZWL$10,00 for spectators at the gate. Come early if you are racing so you don’t miss the registration, we don’t want to hear that as an excuse as to why you didn’t race.
Drivers of closed cars are required to wear helmets, closed shoes, and safety belts if the vehicle is equipped with some. Those with no access to helmets can come and borrow from the club. Drivers of open cars on the other hand are required to wear helmets, long sleeves, long trousers, gloves, closed shoes and safety belts if their vehicle is equipped with some.
All competitors will maintain safety standards so that the club can also maintain its safety records. Riders of motorcycles must wear helmets, gloves, full-length trousers, long-sleeved jackets and closed shoes, minimum boots preferred. Leather is preferred for riders because it offers better protection. Lastly, competitors in the bakkie category must ensure that there is nothing loose in the back of their vehicles.
As usual there are different classes with the Class A Cars with engines up to 1600cc, Class B cars up to 2000c, class C cars with engines up to 2500, class D cars with engines up to 3000cc then E is open class with all other bigger engines. Turbocharged vehicles only have two classes. Those with up to 2000cc and those over 2000cc.
The BMC is trying to promote motor racing in a safe and controlled environment. Do not race on the streets, bring your street car to the Bulawayo Motorsport Park on August. See you there! Feedback – [email protected]
