Bakos, Thixtons roadshow lights-up Donnybrook
SUNDAY belonged to the Bako and Thixton families as their children stole the show during the Bogwheelers Club National Motocross Championship event which was graced by former two-time African motor rally champion Jamie Whyte at Donnybrook in Harare. Whyte, who won the African motor rally title in 2009 and 2010 with co-driver Phil Archenoul, is also a former local motocross champion and he is the first to admit that the sport is in safe hands in this country after watching a number of young riders putting up some sterling performances at Donnybrook which was dominated by bikers from the Bako and Thixton families. As expected, Emmanuel Bako (13) claimed the top step on the podium in the 65cc Class which had a good field of 13 riders. Second place in this section went to another exciting young rider Jordan Dewdney while Emmanuel Bako’s cousin Munyaradzi settled for third place.
Unbelievably the Bako roadshow continued with Emmanuel’s younger brother Junior showing that he was another star in the making as he came first in the PeeWees, which is designed for young riders under the age of seven. In fact, some athletes say that their entire life has revolved around their art. For motocross racer Junior Bako it’s hard to say otherwise. At only four years old, this pint-sized powerhouse is slowly making his way up the motocross ranks.
When dad is a motocross fan, there is bound to be some off-road riding done at home. For Junior Bako, life on two wheels started as early as three years when his dad Brighton put him on a small bike. It wasn’t too long before he graduated to an actual motorcycle, a Yamaha PW50. And as they say, the rest is now history.
On Sunday, Junior Bako also competed in the 50cc Class for riders under the age of nine and he did well to finish in sixth place. The first three places in this class went to Emile Croisette, Karl van As and Callum Moore. Sunday’s event was sponsored by Marine Centre Yamaha and Ice Feed.
The next race meeting has been slated for November 25 and it will be followed by the season-ending three-day Zimbabwe Summer Series at Donnybrook on December 12, 14 and 16.