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Lovemore Dube Senior Sports Editor
DECEMBER 6 is set to be a day to remember for motoring enthusiasts when the Bulawayo Motoring Club celebrates 45 years. To mark the celebrations the club will play host to the ever popular Toyota Castrol Three-Hour Endurance Race and the One- Hour Motorcycle event to precede the longer spectacle.

“This is a special day as it marks the 45th anniversary of the motoring race in Bulawayo.

This famous race started in December, 1969, when many drivers from Zimbabwe, South Africa and the United Kingdom competed. This first race was won by the legend, John Love in his Lola Chev. Since then it has been a popular event among drivers, bikers and the public. The day is always an exciting one for the whole family,” said Clifford Kee Tui a spokesperson for the organisers.

The motorcycles event is set to take centre stage as bikers battle to record the highest number of laps.

The main event is expected to kick off at 3PM.

Endurance racing is very different from the regular races held during the course of the year. The overall winner is one who records the highest number of laps in the given time. An added aspect of the endurance racing is the index of performance trophy for both motorcycles and cars.

This is a way to even the playing field as it is more about consistency rather than speed. The index of performance is based on the competitor’s fastest lap during the endurance race and is used to calculate the number of laps achievable in the time allocated. The team closest to this calculation will win the index of performance trophy.

Winners will also be awarded trophies for their achievements in each class.

There are compulsory pit stops during the endurance race which also throws spanners into the works. This is usually when drivers switch over if they choose to share the driving with others, or to re-fuel or change tyres.

Lined up for the morning will be two sprint races for the motorcycles .

Last year’s event was an action packed day and this year organizers are looking forward to an even better event.

“There’s no doubt that the standard of vehicles and competitors has reached a new high and the speed and performance that’s expected will thrill any motor sport enthusiast. With hopes of drivers coming from South Africa and Botswana, our local heroes will definitely have their work cut out for them.”

Last year Bulawayo’s Fuzzy Walker won the one hour endurance race.

BMC chairman Ian Gutherless will be there to put his skills to the test and Darren Winterboer will be among the favourites for a podium finish with all eyes set to be on the popular Subaru and Barons BMW.

Winterboer won the overall trophy in the Three Hour and newcomer Michael McKillop from South Africa won the index in his first ever Three- Hour last year.

Winterboer is no newcomer to this race as between him and his brother, Brett, they have won the overall trophy an outstanding six times.

In 1989 Brett won it while driving alone, followed in 1992 with Gary Kirk.

In 1995 Darren made his debut driving with Brett, and again winning in 2011.

McKillop has confirmed that he would be coming from South Africa again to race but the dark horse could be Darren Pragji in his ever popular orange Datsun hoping to finish the race this year, as well as the infamous Denzil Bhana, who will be co-driving with Philip Minnaar Junior in a BMW.

Bhana won the overall trophy in 2006, sharing the drive with Ian Cordingley.

The traditional prize giving breakfast this year will be held at the Polocross Centre at Bulawayo Country Club.

Sponsors of the event include Toyota Zimbabwe, Castrol/ HP Lubes and Barons Motor Spares.