×
NewsDay

AMH is an independent media house free from political ties or outside influence. We have four newspapers: The Zimbabwe Independent, a business weekly published every Friday, The Standard, a weekly published every Sunday, and Southern and NewsDay, our daily newspapers. Each has an online edition.

Donnybrook hosts spectacular Telecel Drag Race

Sport
ORGANISERS of the Telecel Drag Race, the Dragpro Club in conjunction with Sables Motor Club, believe that the sport can grow bigger.

ORGANISERS of the Telecel Drag Race, the Dragpro Club in conjunction with Sables Motor Club, believe that the sport can grow bigger after overseeing another successful hosting of the event at Donnybrook Raceway last weekend.

By Munyaradzi Madzokere

The weekend event saw veteran South African dragster Reg Murray (81) being the star attraction, but unlike last year where he sent track records tumbling, this time around he was beaten.

After 3 500 spectators and a record 86 registered competitors yet again combined to create a day of spectacular competition, Dragpro-Sables official Suzan Zevgolis believes the event can grow bigger.

“The Dragpro-Sables drag racing event can grow bigger and is continually growing bigger, as can be seen by the rising numbers of competitors and spectators. We want to get the sport to an international level and to the point where we see dedicated, local, purpose-built drag racing vehicles on the track,” she told NewsDay Sport.

She also revealed that plans were at an advantaged stage to bring a bigger contingent of foreign dragsters with Murray having been a constant feature for the past three years.

“We most certainly hope to see more foreign dragsters in the future and we are already currently working on this, particularly from South Africa where the sport is at a very advanced level compared to Zimbabwe.”

Murray has set class records with his Rail Car that he brought last year and is also a national champion back in South Africa. The South African may have rued leaving his Rail car as he found the going tough with a Chevy Chevair V8, leaving him in third place in the Eliminator category with a best of 12,6 seconds in the cars section and recording a top speed of 194,24 km/h.

Yet again, Allan Cacace ruled the roost in his V8 Cobra as he shrugged off Terry Allbery’s challenge for a fourth consecutive top eliminator title with the best time of 11,1 seconds and Allbery screeching home in 11,9 seconds.

Mano Zevgolis’ Castrol Toyota MR-2 was the second fastest vehicle on the day, completing the quarter mile in 11,8 seconds. Wayne Nichole’s Subaru Sti recorded a quick time of 12,7 seconds as well Nabil Ebrahim’s Audi RS4 and Libor Jira in a Nissan Skyline who posted times of 12,6 and 12,9 seconds respectively. Les Carlsson’s Suzuki GSXR was unbeatable in the motorbikes category, emerging the top eliminator and a best time of 10,3 seconds.

Steve Holms’ Kawasaki ZX10 was also quick, getting in 10,9 secondsl while a secondary rider Darryl Carlsson borrowed his brother’s Les’ bike and clocked 10,5 second.

Veteran rider Phil Archenoul beat his female apprentice Tiffany Fisher in the MA 1-750cc class cruising home in 11,3 compared to Fisher’s 11,4 seconds.