Langalakhe Mabena
After successfully hosting their first anniversary celebration event on New Year’s Day, ZKS Spinners arena are looking forward to having a successful year as they plan to expand the arena into supporting multi-sporting disciplines.
ZKS located at Emthunzini in Bulawayo, near Khami Dam – is the first new-age arena which introduced and is supporting car drifting and spinning, ensuring that the sport is appreciated and instilled to be a culture within the Bulawayo community.
Drifting and spinning are driving techniques that involve deliberately losing traction and controlling the car through sharp turns or circles. The drivers often get out of their moving cars and strike poses, adding to the drama and flair of the performance.
The sport is popular in Western countries, but relatively new in Bulawayo. The most common cars used for spinning are the BMW E30, Nissan Skyline and box-shape Toyota Corollas.
Spinners who did duty on the New Year’s Day event included Mastanda, Amakhosi, Mac D, Sbahle, The Rock, amongst others.
As they start the year, Zakhele Mabaso who is the founder and director of ZKS Spinners arena said they are looking forward to expanding activities within the arena.
The expansions will include a swimming pool, basketball and volleyball courts, amongst other developments.
He said they are grateful for the support they have received from the Bulawayo community as he reflected that all the shows they held last year were sold out including the New Year’s Day gig.
“On our first event for the year we had a great show as we started by our local teams who in my opinion performed to standard.
“As we marked the one-year anniversary, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to each and every one of the people from Bulawayo and beyond who have supported us immensely.
Their unwavering support, enthusiasm, and contributions have been instrumental in making our vision come true.
“From the early days of planning and construction, to the countless hours of operation, their dedication has helped us create a world-class spinning facility that has become a hub for thrill-seekers and motorsport enthusiasts alike.
“We are proud to have hosted numerous events, attracted top talent, and provided a safe and exhilarating environment for drivers to push their limits.
“As we look into the future, we are excited to announce new developments, events, and initiatives that will take our drifting arena to the next level.
“We couldn’t have made it this far without your support, and we look forward to continuing to share our passion for spinning with you,” said Mabaso.
Mabaso predicted an exciting season ahead as he said they will mainly focus on competitions for the local teams first, then proceed to national championship and then engage regional teams within the southern African nations.
Meanwhile, a calendar of events has been unveiled.
The arena will host events on the following days: Robert Mugabe Day (21 February), Independence Day (18 April), Africa Day (25 May), Winter BurnOuts (12 July), Heroes Day (12 August), October Fest (18 October) and on Unity Day (22 December).
