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By Panashe Marijeni Sports reporter

The 3-Hour Endurance Race, a legendary event in Zimbabwe’s motorsport calendar, is back and creating a buzz. As questions pour in about how the race works, here’s everything you need to know about this thrilling competition.

77 VW Polo Turbo to be driven by Wayne Jardine and Deon Slabbert tomorrow at the 2024 3hour endurance races to be held at the Donnybrook race track tomorrow

With the event’s rich history and competitive spirit, the 3-Hour Endurance Race remains the crown jewel of Zimbabwe’s motorsport scene. All the action will be brought to life tomorrow at THE Bulawayo Motoring Club (BMC)’s Donnybrook race course in Bulawayo from 9am.

First held in 1969, the 3-Hour Endurance Race is a club event, but don’t let the term “club” fool you – this is a fierce, high-stakes scratch race. Unlike handicap races, the car that completes the most laps in three hours is crowned the overall winner.

A mandatory pit stop is required during the race, though teams can make additional stops if needed. Refueling is a given for most competitors, and tyre changes are critical due to wear, adding an extra layer of strategy to the event.

51 Subaru WRX to be driven by Calvin Rademeyer and Denzil Bhana.

But that’s not all – within the 3-Hour, there’s another battle: the *Index of Performance. This side competition allows every driver, regardless of speed, the chance to take home a prestigious trophy. Here’s how it works: competitors’ fastest lap time during the race is used to calculate how many laps they *should have completed in the 3-hour period. The winner is the one with the highest percentage of their expected lap count, meaning consistency and efficient pit stops are key. No racer will reach 100 percent, but the one who maintains a steady pace while executing flawless pit stops will likely come out on top.