Our #MCM today is Ash Thixton, a Zimbabwean motorbike rider who recently made his debut appearance at the 2024 Dakar Rally, which is considered the most challenging and prestigious motor rallying event in the world. Thixton is only the second Zimbabwean motorbike rider to compete in the Dakar Rally, after fellow rider Graeme Sharp, who finished the race in 2020.
Born in the year 1993, Thixton grew up in Harare where he developed a passion for motorbikes at a young afe and started racing in local events. He was also a rugby player in school. Thixton began riding the bike in Kindergarten and started his national career at the age of 6.
He competed in various regional and continental races including the Zimbabwe National Enduro Champ, The Roof of Africa and The Africa Eco Race. He also participated in international events such as the Merzouga Rallt and the Rallte du Maroc, where he gained valuable experience and exposure to the rally raid format.
Thixton has raced at the highest level in Namibia, Kenya, Zambia, Botswana and South Africa. He has won 17 National Championship titles, 3 Gold, 3 Silver and 2 Bronze at the FIM – All Africa Championships. He is also the only Zimbabwean ever to win a Championship in every class available, an achievement that was rewarded with national colours in 2016.
In 2024, his dream if competing in Dakar Rally came true when he secured a spot in the Rally Raid Husqvarna Racing Team, along with eight other riders from different countries. He rode a Husqvarna 450R bike in the Tally Category of the bikes section, which was designed for amateur riders who wanted to challenge themselves in the desert.
Thixton achieved his goal of completing the Dakar Rally 2024, becoming the second Zimbabwean motorbike racer to do so. He finished 76th overall in the bikes section and 13th in the Rally2 Category.
Aside from the Racing world, Thixton married his wife Savanna in 2019 and they welcomed their child in 2020. His brother, Cameron Thixton is also a motorbike rider.
