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Mazabuka’s David Reeve
Zambian Motorcycle Champion
The name of young Mazabuka farmer, David Reeve, has become
synonymous with Motocross and Off Road Racing in Zambia in recent
times, David having been the dominant force in both branches of
motorcycle racing over the past five years.
The recently ended 2006 season was probably the high point in the 33
year old rider’s career to date. As well as securing his 4th ZMSA
Motocross, and 2nd ZMSA Off Road titles, David also became the AMU
Africa Off Road Champion, winning the event outright, and
contributing to Zambia capturing the overall Country Team Award. In
addition, he won the AMU Southern African Off Road Challenge and
became the 1st ever Zambian rider to qualify for the prestigious MX1
class at a World Championship Motocross Grand Prix, when he competed
in the South African round at Sun City in July.
David’s passion for motorcycles was nurtured from an early age. He
learnt to ride a bike around Dorvic, the family farm in Maz, with
his brother Sean, both of them following in their father Tom’s wheel
tracks (Tom, incidentally was a serious competitor in the ‘70’s).
David’s racing career started in the late ‘80’s when he competed
in the 85cc class, and graduated to the 125’s. He gave the
established stars of the day plenty to think about on the track and
it soon became apparent that here was a rider of prodigious talent.
With the resurrection of motorcycling in Zambia in 2001, David was
one of the 1st to take up the challenge, and, always a dedicated
athlete, he was soon back at the front of the pack. As well as his
individual achievements, David has shown that he has been a good
team player, being Team Captain of both the Zambian MX and Off Road
Teams in Africa Championship events over the years. He is always
one to lead by example, which can be no better illustrated than by
his performance at the 2004 Africa Off Road Championship in South
Africa in 2005. At an event that was disrupted by weather, David was
one of less than 30 finishers from a field of over 200 riders. He
was the only non - South African rider to complete the event, and
inspired his team mates to keep on going against all odds.
2006 however, marks a watershed in David’s racing career, as he has
decided to retire from Championship Motocross at the end of the year
to concentrate on Off Road Racing. His priority in 2007 will be to
defend his Africa Championship crown, and to take in more
International events, including the “Roof of Africa”, which is
regarded as one of the toughest events in the world, attracting top
class International riders.
David’s presence will not be completely lost to the MX tracks as
his eldest son Thomas is set to start racing in the 50 minicross
class next year, making it three generations from this Mazabuka
farming family to be involved in the sport. David will also be on
hand at events to help chart the progress of not only his son, but
to also lend a hand to help other young riders to develop. “I will
no doubt miss the excitement of competition, but it will be good to
be able to concentrate on my son, and give him the support that he
needs without having to think about my own race. Also, having a less
hectic racing programme will give me the chance to do my very best
in the big Off Road events next season.” Says David.
So after nearly 20 years on the racing scene David Reeve is still as
focused as ever, as he looks to take on a new challenge in Off Road
Racing, and if his current and past achievements are anything to go
by, Zambian Motor Sport fans can expect to continue to see his name
heading up the race results for some time still to come.
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November
2006