ROTAX DOUBLE TROUBLE AT VEREENIGING, KILLARNEY

An exceptional day of Rotax Max karting in Gauteng, Cape

It was a double trouble Saturday for Rotax Max Challenge, with two major regional rounds going down at the same time, at Vereeniging in Gauteng, and at Killarney in Cape Town on Saturday.

Cape abdicator Jason Coetzee was the outrider. He went on to beat Jozi locals Bradley Liebenberg, Karabo Malemela, Masters winner Bjorn Roos, Dusan Radojevic and Olerato Sekudu on their Vereeniging home ground. Jason’s regular home rivals, Joseph Oelz in the meantime overcame Sebastian Boyd two race wins to one to claim Cape honours, with Matthew Wadeley and Masters top three, a delighted Conor Hughes, Roy Gruer, and Marco Viegas keeping a watching brief.

Philippe Chapat took the Gauteng Vets day from Jonathan Kairuz, Robert Fulton, and Chad Francis. Llewellyn Sutherland beat Avinesh Francis to the Reef Clubmans glory, while karting lass Gabi Lanfear took the Cape of Good Hope Clubmans day from Sean Le Riche, Christopher Flack, and PJ Garbutt.

Staying in the Cape, Charl Visser trotted to a triple Senior Max victory over Jude Stuart, Cole Hewetson, a troubled Tate Bishop, and Ethan Deacon. It was harder fought up in Vereeniging. Kent Swartz took a two race to one win over Mikel Bezuidenhout, with Kian Spies, Brandon van der Walt, Khanya Ngwenya and Liam Polome in chase.

The upcountry high school Junior Max races were good to the girls. Gianna Pascoal beat Kegan Martin to take the day two race wins to one. Spice Mailula ran home third from another two young lady racers, Emma Rose Dowling, and Georgia Lenaerts, ahead of Luke Hill. Sebastiano Human meanwhile won two of the Killarney under-15 Junior Max races to Keagan Beaumont’s one to take that day overall. They beat Nicholas Lennox, Anwill April, Jordon Wadeley and Gqeberha visitor Caleb Moss.

Brodi Dowling took two race wins to overcome first heat winner Rafael De Sousa and secure the Vereeniging under-13 Mini Max victory. Tshepang Shisinwana was next home as he beat Ronaldo Koen, Durelle Goodman and Kiyaan Reddi off for third. Cape Mini lad, Max Boshoff was meanwhile dominant enough down at Killarney to ensure that not even a tough second race fifth place would prevent his overall win. Ruan Lewis was second from the Zacs Hindley, and Boshoff, Aiden Beaumont, and Zach McAuley.

Also in the Cape, Liam Wharton won the first two heats to ensure that not even Jayden van der Merwe could steal the Killarney under-11 Micro Max day win with his third race success. Ruhan Victor followed from Yaqeen Gamieldien, Michael O’Mahoney, and Jake Steyn. It was even simpler in the Northern Micro Max races as Matthew Shuttleworth sped to a triple win. He left Luhan De Wet, Kayde Cornofsky, Luke du Toit, Alessio Britz and Ronald Venter to scrap over the Vereeniging under-11 shrapnel.

Last but very much not least, Alonzo De Oliveira bounced back from a first heat defeat to win the second and third Vereeniging races and take the baby Bambino day from Sebastien Shuttleworth. Liam de Beer, Aston Verheul, Anash Madikane and Enzokuhle Ncwane made up the numbers. Back in Cape Town meantime, Caleb Lingeveldt did the same to overcome first-race winner Radhi Harris and win the second and third races as he took the day in the Cape. Ebrahim Khalpey was third in all three races from Divaaj Govender, Aleena Doutie and Ashlyn Beaumont.

Most of the above kart racers now head to Zwartkops for Round 2 of the RMC South African Kart Championships on Saturday 4 May.