RMC SA NATIONAL GRAND FINALE

The MSA RMC South African Kart Championships concludes its season at the Zwartkops International Kart Raceway near Pretoria this weekend. These results will determine the composition of the South African National Team, responsible for representing the country at the prestigious RMC ‘Olympics of Karting’ Grand Final, taking place in Bahrain this coming December. As such, the upcoming event in Pretoria carries immense significance, as South Africa’s top talents prepare to engage in four critical heats of racing within each class.

DD2

Bradley Liebenberg, an accomplished multiple DD2 champion from Johannesburg, enters the Pretoria event with a commendable position in the direct drive gearbox class. However, his attention must be shared with his primary contender and reigning champion, the skilled Cape driver Sebastian Boyd. Boyd possesses a slightly reduced points deficit in his pursuit of retaining the title. Holding third place in the DD2 race is Kian Grottis, followed by Wayland Wyman. The competition at Zwartkops is likely to feature formidable competition in the form of Jamie Smith, Nicolaos Vostanis and Dusan Radojevic.

DD2 MASTERS

Another dominant figure from Johannesburg, Kyle Lawrence, leads the DD2 Masters title race, followed by KZN’s Jonathan Pieterse, and Cape competitors Conor Hughes and Jared Jordan. Noteworthy contenders include Neil Lambrechts, the spirited Eugene Brittz, Cape racers Andrew Thomas and Michael Jordan, Namibian participant Mark Villinger, and potentially even KZN’s karting standout Cristiano Morgado. This category is where the experienced figures of Max karting vie for supremacy.

SENIOR MAX

In the Senior Max class, the competition is tightly contested. Current Junior champion KC Ensor-Smith holds a slim advantage in the title race, closely pursued by former Senior champions Muhammad Wally and Troy Snyman, both hailing from Johannesburg. The field remains competitive, with notable names like Ethan Bostander, the reigning double champion Charl Visser, Olerato Sekudu, Roshaan Goodman, and the duo from the Cape: Matthew Wadeley and Ethan Stier. Given the unpredictable nature of this season’s racing, the ultimate champion is anyone’s guess.

JUNIOR MAX

The Junior Max category for under-15 high school participants is equally competitive. Kent Swartz and Wian Boshoff are separated by a mere handful of points in the title chase. Both Johannesburg racers must avoid any mistakes, as contenders like Jordon Wadeley from Cape Town, and Gauteng racers Amani Kinyua, and Jonno Wilson, along with female drivers Georgia Lenaerts and Gianna Pascoal, and Mauro Da Luz, are all within striking distance of the championship. Notable entries such as Travis Mingay, James Nash, Cole Hewetson and Anwill April also possess a strong chance and Bruno Bidoli adds some international flavour to the grid travelling down from Namibia.

MINI MAX

Caleb Odendaal, a talented racer from Johannesburg, holds a significant advantage in the under-13 Mini Max championship. The battle for second place is closely contested, as Cape driver Keagan Beaumont and Gauteng rival Kegan Martin find themselves tied on points. Among the contenders, Emma Rose Dowling maintains a secure fourth place, while fierce competition for fifth ensues among Spice Mailula, Taylin Patel, Jesse Swart, and Durelle Goodman, each with fewer points to drop compared to their rivals. You also cannot count out performances from Franco Gibhard, Aaron Mason, Sebastian Geldenhuys, Franco Bensch and Tshepang Shisinwana.

MICRO MAX

In the under-11 Micro Max category, Northern Regions participant Rafael da Silva maintains a notable lead, with Brodi Dowling securing second place. The fight for third place is intense, involving Ronaldo Koen, Matthew Shuttleworth, Cristian Verheul and Rafael De Sousa. Cape’s Jayden van der Merwe could prove to be a surprise contender due to fewer points to be dropped, as well as Benjamin Gibhard, Callum du Toit, and siblings Ashaan and Kiyaan Reddi, alongside Mohumi Masenya, Ruvan Maritz, Rumaan Hussain and Bophelo Molatlhegi.

BAMBINO

The most closely contested battle is found among the youngest participants in the Bambino category. Merely two points separate Luhan de Wet and Adriaan Steyn, with Ronald Venter in pursuit. However, potential surprises could arise from competitors like Luke du Toit, Slater Smith, Aston Verheul, and Caleb Rogers, who haven’t dropped any points after missing rounds. Keep an eye out for future stars Alonzo De Oliveira, Kiaan Pillay, Lwashu Mathebula and Sebastien Shuttleworth as well as Cape drivers Jake Steyn, Yaqeen Gamieldien and Radhi Harris. De Wet and Steyn will have to account for dropping three sets of podium points due to the season’s rules. The requirement to drop the three lowest points scores often introduces unexpected outcomes in the final championship standings.

To culminate, the crowning of the seven 2023 MSA RMC South African karting champions will take place at Zwartkops by the end of Saturday’s grand finale. Excluding the Bambino champion, the six South African champions will join the winners of October’s African Open event to form the National team representing South Africa at the RMC ‘Olympics of Karting’ Grand Final held in Bahrain this December.