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RACE REPORT: THE ZIMBABWE SUMMER
SERIES
23 December 2012
by Laren van der Westhuizen
85cc Start
In 1967, Zimbabwe started running a summer series championship.
Now, 45 years later, the series still runs and has not missed one
year since then. To add to the history of the event, Rose Rushforth,
who runs ZMSF, has not missed one round since 1967. This summer
series I have to say was one of the best I have attended and have
attended about 10 in total over the years. Close competitive racing,
packed out stadiums and more fun than you can handle is always the
formula for what I would say is the best series in Africa.
This year, Zimbabwe got to witness it's first backflip live with
Alastair Sayer pleasing the crowd in between SX heats. As if the
thrill of seeing a backflip heel clicker wasn't enough, they got
to see some of the fiercest, closest racing ever. The event had
riders from Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Uganda and South Africa,
as well as the invited guests from the USA. True international flavour.
MX2 Start with Jesse Wright and Richard van der Westhuizen
Richard Van Der Westhuizen proved his metal by winning both MX1
and MX2, but with stiff competition from the Zimbabwe rider Jayden
Ashwell, who actually won 3 MX1 heats and 1 MX2 heat during the
summer series. The man who started the summer series winning the
first 2 heats, was Ross Branch, but he just couldn't bring it through
the whole series. Ross did finish 2nd in the MX2 class and 3rd in
the MX1 class. Wyatt Avis had time to test his new Husqvarna 450
and was great to iron out any bugs on a bike no one has seen in
Africa. Cam Peterson is a road racer, but was unbelievably quick
and finished 4th in the MX1 class in the series.The old man of the
class, Ian Topliss finished in 5th. Royce Griffin started the series
well, but fell ill with 2 rounds to go. Merik Sparg had surprising
speed at the summer series. He won 2 SX heats and was leading heat
2 on the final day when he had a big get off. Jesse Wright showed
flashes of his potential with some great heats in the MX2 class.
The USA Riders.
The 125 class was great to watch as the American rider, Cole Barbieri
and Brad Cox went head to head. Cole seemed to have the edge in
MX and Brad seemed to have the edge in SX, but some bad fortune
in the 2nd night of SX for Brad Cox, cost him the series. Cole is
a great rider and can see why he is top 10 in Lorettas.
The 85cc class was dominated by the USA rider Dare Demartile. He
had a little bit of pressure from a resurgent Reagan Wasmuth who
rode a small wheel 85cc.
The Zambian rider, Davin Cocker won all but 1 heat of the series
in the 65cc class. The last heat was won by Cameron Durow, but Davin
was a sensation and will be a force in the SA nationals.
Huge jumps
Jonathan Mlimi won the 50cc pro class, but I was most impressed
with the depth of 50cc racing in Zimbabwe. 3 classes of 50cc riders
and 2 classes of 65cc riders, shows some real growth there.
Once again, Zimbabwe were so hospitable to all the guests and acted
beyond the call of duty in every situation. The riders who rode
have all already committed to 2013 series. It also looks likely
to run a ladies class in that series.
The riders would like to thank all who made it possible:
Gary Grainger and Committee
Trevor and Corinne Thixton
Dougie Mellor
Warren Wasmuth
Fuchs Silkolene
Maguires
Natural stone export company
Tandamanzi drilling
ZMD
Jim Perry transport
Agristructures
BK painters
Page Properties
Rooneys
Wings
Irvines
PHI
SDEC
Impact feeds
Jailing
Forever Living products
Kaola Park Abbattoir
Voly energy drink
DZines
Results can be found on ZA timing.
The USA Riders with Armstrongs Racing
RIDER COMMENTS:
Richard van der Westhuizen
The Zimbabwe summer series 2012 was definitely one of the best
trips I've had in my career. Gary Grainger and the Zim organisers
did an amazing job of putting everything together while Laren of
MXSA made sure all the SA boys were sorted out. The tracks, both
MX and SX were awesome, well prepared with lots of technical sections
thrown in, they were very fun to ride and race. I had a great series,
taking both MX1 and MX2 series titles.
The sprint race, 6 lap format was pretty cool too, it made for tight
racing which made the crowds go wild! We were fortunate to go to
the Zambezi river with the Thixtons, Andre and Ray Deardon, Ian,
and all the senior SA boys, it was amazing spending time in the
water amongst all the wildlife!
We also got to go to the Arcadia dam which was nice and relaxing
too. Kirst and I were put up by Warren and Michelle Wasmuth along
with their two boys Regan and Ryan. They made us feel like royalty
and we never had to lift a finger, we had a great time with them,
and would do it again in a heartbeat! A huge thank you to all the
great people for making it happen: Gary Grainger, The Zim organisers,
Laren VD W, Warren and Michelle Wasmuth, the Thixtons, Ian, Andre
and Ray deardon, Shane and Lloyd from lifestyle Scooters for looking
after the bikes, all the SA riders, Toppie, Wyatt, Ross, Jono, Merick,
jesse, Brad, Jono and Josh Mlimi, Royce, and all the Zim and US
riders too. Thanks for the awesome memories!
Jayden Ashwell
Ian Topliss:
Zimbabwe summer series where do i start...? From the minute Jon
and i landed and went to the Thixtons house i knew this was going
to be a memorable experience. The first night we got to practice
the supercross track and experience racing at night which has not
happened in S.A. for a long time.
The racing at Donnybrook was relaxed and very enjoyable with awesome
sandy conditions.
We went to the zambezi river which was one of the best times i have
ever had chilling with good mx mates and getting to know them better.
Having a braai on a sand bank in the middle of the Zambezi river
was for sure the best.
Many thanks to the Thixton’s who looked after us from the word
go and the bogwheelers crew for getting us there to race on there
awesome track.
I really enjoyed my time in zim and will be back for sure.
Bradley Cox
Bradley Cox:
Summer series was an awesome experience! From the motocross in
the day to the supercross at night Grey Grainger and his team put
on an excellent show, the crowd was amazing and they never missed
one part of the action, they pumped you up every time you came past
them and they really showed their support for you! The track was
always prepped and you could have so much fun on the big jumps and
the flowing corners, for such a small country and such a small motorsport
base they put on an amazing event! I will definitely be back next
year and I will try get some of my overseas friends to come and
compete. High 5 Gary, Bindi and Zimbabwe!
Tristan Grainger
Jesse Wright:
Coming into the Summer Series I didn't know what to expect, but
came in prepared mentally and physically. Started off with a great
first heat almost winning the first heat then had a little bad luck
and some bad races. For my first race in the mx2 class I know what
I need to work on for next year. I know I have the speed. Just need
to put it all together. Otherwise the fans were incredible, they
loved everyone of us as much as the other and wanted to help as
much as they could. The people we stayed with, Gary Granger and
Bindy help us out so much and we appreciate it so much. Everyone
that helps us thank you a lot as well you know we wouldn't be able
to do it without your help! To my mom and dad for making the effort
as well. Thank you all so much!
Merik Sparg:
It was an Awesome experience, the racing was FUN, FAST and AWESOME.
I had a great time racing and being able to chill and hang out with
everyone when on a race day we would normally be in our own quite
little bubble. Thank You again for the Help, It was really cool
to be included.
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