Junior riders steal the show at Donnybrook

THE iconic Donnybrook Park Raceway track in Harare hosted the opening round of the 2024 Better Brands Petroleum Bogwheelers Club National Motocross Championship series on Sunday where two promising young riders Kudzwai Chitsurura and Victor Nyamupfukudza (pictured) ruled the roost in their different classes.

There was some very exciting racing in all the classes and the big crowd present at Donnybrook enjoyed watching the country’s top junior and senior riders burning the track all day long.

And it was Chitsurura and Nyamupfukudza who dominated the proceedings in the 85cc and 65cc classes respectively.

Chitsurura, who has moved a class up from 65cc to 85cc this year, was just a joy to watch as he cruised to victory in both his races in the 85cc Class.

Seb Wright gave his best once again on Sunday but had to settle down with a second overall position in the 85cc Class.

Chris Mufanechiya laboured for a thirdplace finish in this class.

In the 65cc Class class, Nyamupfukudza dominated both heats, but Wright proved that he has the speed and the rhythm to be at the top but he was touched once again by bad luck as he settled for second place.

Mufanechiya did two solid motos and he was third overall again in the 65cc Class.

Nyamupfukudza’s father and manager, Simbarashe Nyamupfukudza, said his son was just pumped up ahead of Sun-day’s racing. Victor has moved a class up from 50cc to 65cc for this season. He is also racing in the 85cc Class.

“After having acquired two brand new bikes from our sponsor Scott Sakupwanya, Victor was just itching to get on to the track today (Sunday) and he was looking for nothing short of a top place finish in this class.

“He enjoyed his riding from the onset and he fully deserves a top place on the podium.

“He quickly got used to his new bike and he rode solidly in both heats to claim the first place.

“This is just the beginning for Victor as he wants to dominate in his class this year,” Simbarashe Nyamupfukudza said after Sunday’s race meeting at Donnybrook.

In the 125cc Class, Tariq Shelton obtained his first victory of the new season ahead of Riley Rocher and Noah Butler Rees.

In the first heat, after the first ten minutes, Shelton found his rhythm and managed to overtake Rocher and Rees as he pulled away with the victory.

The script did not change in heat two as Shelton took an early lead and never looked back. Veteran rider Dougie Mellor took the first step on the podium in the main MX1 Class after beating Riley Rocher into second place.

As expected Daiyaan “D” Manuel won both motos in the MX2 Class to grab the first step on the podium ahead of South African rider Jonathan Mlimi and Cameron Mellor.

Manuel had a trouble-free day on Sunday as he kept his South African rival Mlimi at bay in both heats. The top three places in the MX3 Class were Kevin Morgan, Daniel Scott, and Bismack Lameck.

The second round of the Bogwheelers Club National Championship series is scheduled for March 24 at Donnybrook.