Online Reporter
Collin Matiza
IT just takes your breath away!
The 2025 International Surge Energy Drink Zimbabwe Summer Series got off to an electrifying start at Donnybrook Park Raceway in Harare last night, and it didn’t take long for the story-lines to unfold.
The opening round of two Supercross nights last night set the stage for a rivalry that promises to captivate fans up until the closing day of the three-day International Surge Energy Drink Zimbabwe Summer Series on Sunday.
With local champion riders Daiyaan Manuel, Emmanuel Bako, and Riley Rocher all in the mix in the seniors MX1 and MX2 classes, the intensity and drama were palpable from the start last night and will hopefully spill into Sunday’s motocross race day.
In fact, this is the ultimate show of the year. This is the biggest motorcycling event to be held in Zimbabwe since the attainment of independence in April 1980.
There’s no room for error, and there are no second chances!
Well over 200 Supercross and motocross riders from all over the world are converging at Donnybrook for the three-day International Surge Energy Drink Zimbabwe Summer Series.
The International Surge Energy Drink Zimbabwe Summer Series is a supercross and motocross carnival that revved last night, and it has attracted riders from Australia, Austria, France, South Africa, Mozambique, and, of course, the host, Zimbabwe.
The three-day event is being held at the iconic Donnybrook Park Raceway, which is considered the premier motorsport venue in Zimbabwe.
The organizers aim to make the event one of the world’s biggest and most spectacular motorcycling events.
The 2024 International Surge Energy Drink Zimbabwe Summer Series burst into life last night with the first of its two Supercross nights.
Supercross is a type of motocross that involves off-road motorcycles racing on a dirt track with jumps and obstacles. The races are held in sports stadiums, and the tracks are usually constructed there. Supercross is considered one of the most physically demanding sports in the world.
And it has come knocking on our doors at the legendary motorsport venue in Zimbabwe — Donnybrook — from last night to tomorrow night for the opening two Supercross nights of the International Surge Energy Drink Zimbabwe Summer Series.
The Supercross events will be followed by some high-octane motocross racing on Sunday to close this motorcycling carnival.
The series has returned to Donnybrook for the first time with a new title sponsor—Surge Energy Drink—and they have helped to bring another Zimbabwe Summer Series filled with great battles, big crashes, and probably great memories.
Top dirt bike riders from Australia, Austria, and France have made their way to this part of the world for this motorcycling jamboree. Two Australian riders, Matt Moss (MX1 Class) and Jaxon Hadlow (MX2 Class), are in town to spice up and add some international flavour to this event.
One of Australia’s highest credentialed Supercross racers, Moss, is the man to watch during this event.
Moss is a nine-time Australian motocross and supercross champion.
Moss had an injury-interrupted 2023 season but was the highest-placed Australian rider in 2022, behind US import Justin Brayton, and is fit and fired up for a huge year and determined to be the first Australian rider to win the Zimbabwe Summer Series in a number of years.
Leading the way for Zimbabwean dirt bike riders are the usual suspects: Daiyaan “D” Manuel, Emmanuel Bako, Doug Mellor, Riley Rocher, Karl van As, and Ricky Whyte. Manuel is racing in the seniors MX2 Class while Bako, Rocher, and van As are chasing glory in the 125cc Class.
Ricky Whyte, son of the legendary superbike rider Shaun Whyte, is back in the country and has entered to race in the MX3 Class.
Young motocross sensation Victor Nyamupfukudza (10) is leading a cast of promising Zimbabwean riders in the juniors section.
Nyamupfukudza is fresh from representing Zimbabwe at the African Championships, which were recently held in Marrakech, Morocco, where he surprised all and sundry by emerging with a silver medal in the 65cc Class.
And his father and manager, Simbarashe Nyamupfukudza, said his son just can’t wait to race in this week’s International Surge Energy Drink Zimbabwe Summer Series at Donnybrook.
“Looking at the entries, there’s some very stiff competition in his class, 65cc, and with three more international riders coming, it will be a very good experience, and I’m expecting a good race. I’m not going to give him too much pressure, but I want him to ride well and enjoy the ride and have fun.
“Taddy, Victor’s sister, is also riding after almost a year not on the bike. All I want this time is for them to have fun,” Simbarashe Nyamupfukudza said.
Victor trains under the legendary motocross trainer Big “Bigs” Chitima.
Racing tomorrow starts at 3pm with gate charges fixed at US$5 for the spectators, while kids under the age of 12 will get in for free.
