Bako set for a double-header in Harare, Gauteng
ZIMBABWE’S motocross champion rider Emmanuel Bako is going to have his hands full as the 2024 season opens in Zimbabwe and South Africa this weekend.
The 2024 Zimbabwean and South African National Championship series are set to rev off this weekend with the latter once again open to local riders.
Sunday will see the Bogwheelers Club, who run motocross in this country, staging the opening round of their six-round National Championship series at Donnybrook Park Raceway in Harare.
A day earlier will also see the famous Legends track at Bronkhorstspruit in Gauteng, South Africa, hosting round one of the tough seven-round South African Nationals.
And 17-year-old Zimbabwean rider is eyeing competing in both competitions in Gauteng and Harare on Saturday and Sunday as he aims to bounce back to his best after a relatively disappointing 2023 season in which he was hampered by a series of injuries.
Last year, Bako experienced what he said was a “bittersweet year”.
He had two major injuries, breaking his wrist and underwent an operation after breaking three toes before the main event of the season — the Zimbabwe Summer Series — which he was looking forward to — in a single year.
“These were the most unfortunate things that I’ve had in any year which set me back a bit but I stayed positive and pushed through it.
“The highlight of my season last year was racing in the Zimbabwe Summer Series with three broken toes and still managing to come second overall in the 125cc Class even after missing the first two races and having the most heat wins!” Bako said ahead of the opening rounds of the 2024 Nationals in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
He is now looking forward to the new season, starting with a taxing outing of racing in both countries over this weekend.
Bako’s father and manager, Brighton “Bucks” Bako, confirmed yesterday that his son will be racing in the opening rounds of both the South African and Zimbabwean Nationals at the weekend.
“It’s a double header for him this weekend. He will first compete in the opening round of the South African Nationals on Saturday and then fly back to Harare on Sunday morning on time to be able to race in round one of the Zimbabwean Nationals.
“So, that’s two days of consecutive racing but he is pumped up after last season’s misfortunes,” Brighton Bako said.
And as the inaugural races of the 2024 season begin in Zimbabwe and South Africa, excitement reaches fever pitch within the Team Bako camp.
With eyes firmly set on the new season, Emmanuel Bako is ready to showcase his abilities and leave his mark on the track both at home and in South Africa.
Fuelled by the unwavering support from his sponsors, Better Brands Petroleum , family, and friends, the pursuit for victory will be relentless.
With determination and grit as well as the wanting of victory, he is poised to thrill spectators and fans this season.
And as Emmanuel Bako and fellow top local riders prepare to take on the challenges that lie ahead, starting with the opening round of the Zimbabwean Nationals at Donnybrook on Sunday, one thing is certain — the 2024 motocross season promises to be a spectacle like no other, and “Manu” is ready to lead the charge.