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Collin Matiza : Sports Editor

MOTOR racing just runs in the Whyte family. After having watched his father Jamie Whyte winning back-to-back African motor rally titles as a teenager in 2009 and 2010, young Rowan Whyte followed in his dad’s footsteps and took up the sport, concentrating in main circuit racing at Donnybrook in Harare.And just like his father, Rowan (26) was at the weekend crowned a motor racing champion for the second time in his career when he won this year’s Saloon A Open Class with one round to spare. His first title came in 2014 when he was competing in the same class in a Subaru.

Rowan drove the same car to victory once again this year in the seven-round national championship series and was yesterday over the moon after his latest achievement.

“Yeah, it was just brilliant to win this year’s Saloon A Open Class and special mention (goes) to my dad (Jamie) for preparing and maintaining the car; and also thanks to Motul Zimbabwe for the sponsorship of the oil.

“But a big thank you goes to TT Motorcycles of Harare who were my main sponsors. This is the second national title that I’ve won in my career as a motor racing driver and just feels so good,” an excited Rowan said.

Racing under Team Jialing, Rowan amassed 88 points to walk away with this year’s title in the Saloon A Open Class, beating seasoned drivers such as Eric Heard, Barney Rogers and Farnie van de Linde in the process to crown a memorable year for himself. One of his major sponsors, Motul Zimbabwe, were among the first people to congratulate him after he clinched the title in Bulawayo at the weekend.

“Motul in Zimbabwe would like to give a big congratulations to #TeamJialing #JialingRacing for winning the Zimbabwe National Car Circuit 2016 championship. Great racing from Rowan James Whyte & (his) team this season, clinching the championship with just one race to go! Way to go guys!,” Motul said in a statement.

For winning this year’s Saloon Open A Class title, Rowan joined his father Jamie, who is a two-time African motor rally champion, and his uncle, Shaun, who is a former South African Superbikes champion.

Saloon A Open Class Results from August 13:

1. Rowan Whyte 88

2. Eric Heard 87

3. Barney Rogers 86

4. Farnie Van de Linde 62

5. Richard Robinson 47

6. Ian Howden 19

7. Dave Tingle 11

8. Hamish Perry 10

9. Jess Watson 10

10 Kevin Allmark 8

11. Craig Bond 8

12. Cole bond 6

Division Two

1. Gary Kirk 76

2. Mike Exton 70

3. Craig Green 70

4. Mike Laing 48

5. Steve Murton 43

6. Clayton Green 30

7. Brett Stopforth 25

8. Gary Bluett 24

9. Cameron Thixton 22

10. Shaun Kerwin 13

Division Three

1. John Cameron 70

2. Hilton Harunavamwe 64

3. Des Morris 52

4. Brett Cameron 44

5. Ryan Van Reenen 37

6. Conrad Van Reenen 26

7. Robbie Swanepoel 24

8. Martin Steenkamp 19

9. George Chitepo 18

10. Richard Exton 15

11. Stuart Haddon 4

12. Jefta Chingura 3