Sports / Other
Zim teenage motor racing sensation to fly Zimbabwean flag
03 Oct 2013 at 04:56hrs | Views
Zimbabwe's teenage motor racing sensation Axcil Jefferies
ZIMBABWE'S teenage motor racing sensation Axcil Jefferies will once again be flying the Zimbabwean flag, as he hits the streets of Houston in Texas, United States, this weekend.
In what will be Jefferies' second event in The Indy Lights series this year and his first street race since 2009 where he raced around the streets of Macau in China, the talented Zimbabwean driver will have his work cut out.
Street racing is very different from racing on conventional race tracks, as there is simply no room for error.
The slightest mistake or lapse in concentration and drivers would find themselves in the barriers or walls.
Conventional race circuits have run-off areas, which make it less of a challenge.
Speaking from his base in Indianapolis, United States, yesterday Jefferies (19) had this to say: "I'm looking forward to getting behind the wheel again, since my last race in Mid Ohio, however, we face a totally new challenge again.
"Houston is a street race, so we can't afford any errors. I enjoy new challenges, it keeps me on my toes and gets the adrenaline rushing!
"From a young age, my dad always encouraged us to take on big challenges, never to be afraid; so it's in my DNA. I'm pumped up for this one.
"My last street race was in Macau in China back in 2009, where I finished fifth out of 32 cars, so I was happy with that. I'm looking forward to putting Zimbabwe on the map again.
"With all the continued support from back home, it gives me the confidence I need."
Jefferies was scheduled to leave his temporary base in Indianapolis for Texas yesterday and tomorrow he will have only two half-hour practice sessions to learn his way around the street circuit in Houston, before qualifying on Saturday morning and the race on Saturday afternoon in The Shell and Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston.
In what has been a difficult year for the Jefferies' camp in securing sponsorship, they have soldiered on, with his management team working flat out to keep the young driver's and Zimbabweans hopes alive of getting to the world popular Formula One.
Like all sport, "practice makes perfect", and in motorsport it is simply down to seat time, which has been in short supply for our "Young Gun" ' Jefferies.
In fact, at the level Jefferies competes at, he has the least seat time globally, and it is an issue that needs to be addressed if Zimbabwe is to hit the big time of Formula One.
Jefferies' fan base continues to grow at a phenomenal rate across Africa, and now Asian motorsporting fans are taking to the likeable young Zimbabwean.
There is clearly a thirst for an African F1 driver globally and if one was to study Jefferies' popularity and growing profile, we have to believe he is the man to represent Africa and put the continent on the F1 map.
After Jefferies' success in his debut race in Mid Ohio two months ago, American Honda have rewarded the young Zimbabwean with sponsorship to compete in Houston this weekend.
Jefferies added: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank my sponsors American Honda, and SGI for making this possible".
The young Zimbabwean driver continues to draw the attention of major global media houses.
Last week, he was interviewed by Fox Sports and in Mid Ohio he was featured on NBC sports.
To many people's surprise, Jefferies has quickly won over American fans with his likeable manners and strong character and clear natural ability.
In what will be Jefferies' second event in The Indy Lights series this year and his first street race since 2009 where he raced around the streets of Macau in China, the talented Zimbabwean driver will have his work cut out.
Street racing is very different from racing on conventional race tracks, as there is simply no room for error.
The slightest mistake or lapse in concentration and drivers would find themselves in the barriers or walls.
Conventional race circuits have run-off areas, which make it less of a challenge.
Speaking from his base in Indianapolis, United States, yesterday Jefferies (19) had this to say: "I'm looking forward to getting behind the wheel again, since my last race in Mid Ohio, however, we face a totally new challenge again.
"Houston is a street race, so we can't afford any errors. I enjoy new challenges, it keeps me on my toes and gets the adrenaline rushing!
"From a young age, my dad always encouraged us to take on big challenges, never to be afraid; so it's in my DNA. I'm pumped up for this one.
"My last street race was in Macau in China back in 2009, where I finished fifth out of 32 cars, so I was happy with that. I'm looking forward to putting Zimbabwe on the map again.
"With all the continued support from back home, it gives me the confidence I need."
Jefferies was scheduled to leave his temporary base in Indianapolis for Texas yesterday and tomorrow he will have only two half-hour practice sessions to learn his way around the street circuit in Houston, before qualifying on Saturday morning and the race on Saturday afternoon in The Shell and Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston.
In what has been a difficult year for the Jefferies' camp in securing sponsorship, they have soldiered on, with his management team working flat out to keep the young driver's and Zimbabweans hopes alive of getting to the world popular Formula One.
Like all sport, "practice makes perfect", and in motorsport it is simply down to seat time, which has been in short supply for our "Young Gun" ' Jefferies.
In fact, at the level Jefferies competes at, he has the least seat time globally, and it is an issue that needs to be addressed if Zimbabwe is to hit the big time of Formula One.
Jefferies' fan base continues to grow at a phenomenal rate across Africa, and now Asian motorsporting fans are taking to the likeable young Zimbabwean.
There is clearly a thirst for an African F1 driver globally and if one was to study Jefferies' popularity and growing profile, we have to believe he is the man to represent Africa and put the continent on the F1 map.
After Jefferies' success in his debut race in Mid Ohio two months ago, American Honda have rewarded the young Zimbabwean with sponsorship to compete in Houston this weekend.
Jefferies added: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank my sponsors American Honda, and SGI for making this possible".
The young Zimbabwean driver continues to draw the attention of major global media houses.
Last week, he was interviewed by Fox Sports and in Mid Ohio he was featured on NBC sports.
To many people's surprise, Jefferies has quickly won over American fans with his likeable manners and strong character and clear natural ability.
Source - herald
