MAX INTRIGUE AT ZWARTKOPS KARTING

TIGHT LINES AT RMC REGIONAL IN BUILD UP TO PRETORIA FINAL NEXT MONTH

Zwartkops circuit witnessed a grand spectacle during the highly anticipated fifth round Northern Regions RMC Karting meeting last Saturday. With a solid out-of-town presence, the event resembled a mini-national championship, attracting skilled racers eager to hone their skills before the challenging Pretoria figure of eight circuit hosts the final four-race National Finals next month.

The meeting proved captivating as many non-point-scoring favourites adopted a strategic approach. Rather than aiming for outright glory, they opted to test their mettle by running less powerful engines and older tires to better understand the track.

DD2

The DD2 gearbox category featured a sizable grid, offering an enthralling contest with three different winners across the three races. Brad Liebenberg emerged victorious in the final race, securing a trio of podium finishes for the day. However, he faced stiff competition from local rival Nicolaos Vostanis and Cape visitor Sebastian Boyd, who triumphed in the other races. The consistently impressive Kian Grottis claimed second place overall, outshining Liebenberg’s competitors. In the DD2 Masters category, KZN visitor Jonathan Pieterse proved his prowess, besting Kyle Lawrence in two out of three races to seize the honours, while Phillipe Chapat clinched the Vets victory.

SENIOR MAX

The Senior Max division saw intense rivalry between KC Ensor-Smith and Muhammad Wally. Ensor-Smith claimed two wins, eventually securing the overall victory for the day. Wally demonstrated unwavering determination, settling for the second position throughout the event. However, the final race belonged to the tenacious Roshaan Goodman, who managed to outpace Wally. Olerato Sekudo claimed fourth overall, followed closely by Jeandre Nel, Ethan Bostander, an under-the-radar Troy Snyman, and Nielen Marx.

JUNIOR MAX

The high school Junior Max category delivered an exhilarating display with three different winners in the three heats. Ultimately, Jonno Wilson’s victory in the second race granted him the overall honours, narrowly edging out final heat winner Kent Swartz. Cape visitor Jordon Wadeley secured the third spot on the podium, with Georgia Lenaerts, Mauro Da Luz, Amani Kinyua, Gianna Pascoal, and Muhammed Kalla following closely. Notably, Wian Boshoff, the winner of the opening race, was unable to participate in the final.

MINI MAX

The primary school classes witnessed an impressive turnout of over 30 entries, reflecting the robust state of karting and the promising future of South African motorsport. In the under-13 Mini Max category, Kegan Martin put on a remarkable performance, prevailing with a two-to-one victory over Spice Mailula, Durelle Goodman, and Taylin Patel. A captivating private duel took place between national rivals Keagan Beaumont and Caleb Odendaal, with Beaumont clinching fifth place ahead of Odendaal, Franco Gibhard, and Jesse Swart.

MICRO MAX

Rafael De Sousa dominated the under-11 Micro Max category, clinching an impressive triple win for the day. However, Brodi Dowling, who secured second place overall, interrupted De Sousa’s perfect streak by claiming victory in the second race. Rafael Da Silva displayed a commendable performance, finishing third overall, with Cristian Verheul, Benjamin Gibhard, Kiyaan Reddi, Ruvan Maritz, and Ronaldo Koen following closely.

BAMBINO

In the baby Bambino class, Adriaan Steyn exhibited exceptional skill, securing victory in two races and claiming the day’s top honours. Luhan de Wet’s race one win was impressive, though Steyn’s consistent performance allowed him to take the overall win. Luke du Toit maintained a strong position in third, while Lwashu Mathebula, Alonzo De Oliveira, Aston Verheul, Emre Froneman, and Ronald Bodhi Venter delivered spirited performances.

With plenty more Rotax Max action to look forward to, including KZN and Cape regionals before the grand finale on 26th August back at Zwartkops, racing enthusiasts can anticipate more thrilling battles and remarkable displays of skill.