Rotax Regional Championship thrills Benoni

Race categories started from Bambino (ages five to eight) to the Senior Max.

March 12, 2020

Kabelo Maluleka 2 minutes read

Moments before the Bambino race at the Formula K Northerns Regions Championship. The race is a qualifier for the national championship.

Formula K hosted the Northern Region Rotax Karting Championship in Benoni at the Formula K and Business Park circuit recently, attracting 64 registered contestants.

Race categories started from Bambino (ages five to eight) to the Senior Max.

The event organisers were thrilled about the number of participants since it was the first-ever formal race at the venue.

The categories consisted of three rounds each. These were divided into different classes, including Bambino, Clubman’s, DD2, DD2 Masters and DD2 Clubman’s, FKR Shifters, Junior Max, Micro Max, Mini Max, Senior Max, and Master Max.

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The drivers agreed that the circuit was up to international standards in build and design.

“It is a fantastic venue that meets world-class standards. We are still waiting for some of the buildings to be built, but the track for the karters is fantastic,” said Ed Murray, promoter of the Rotax kart series.

We host the national series with the Rotax Max Challenge, which starts with the regional racing we have here today.

“There are races in KwaZulu-Natal, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and here in Gauteng. Guys qualify for the national championship and then the winners of the nationals take part in an international race called the Rotax Max Grand Final. The Grand Final is like the Olympics of karting. You get a brand-new kart, engine, tyres, everything for you and free to race.”

The race and events organiser for Rand Club Kart and MCP Rental Kart, Jeff Vanroon, said kart racing is where the future of motor sport begins.

Marius Swanepoel (left, one of the circuit owners at Formula K), Ed Murray (promoter of Rotax) and Jeff Vanroon (race and events organiser for Rand Club Kart and MCP Rental Kart).

“You start from karting and then move to bigger categories, going into main circuit racing. But we also have a lot of people who race karts and never move into any other form of motor sport because they are so passionate about it,” said Vanroon.

The race final results and winners names were:

• Position one: MJ Thekiso with 102 points for Bambino Club

• Position one: Llewellyn Sutherland with 105 points for Clubman’s

• Position one: Robert Fulton with 102 points for Clubman’s Vets Club

• Position one: Justin Allison with 100 points for DD2/Masters/Clubman’s

• Position one: Nicholas Verheul with 105 points for DD2 Masters Club Final

• Position one: Aqil Alibhai with 105 points for Junior Max Club Final

• Position one: Ntiyiso Mabunda with 105 for Micro Max Club

• Position one: Ghazi Motlekar with 105 points for Mini Max Club

• Position one: Cameron O’Connor with 105 points for Senior Max Club

Nicholas Verheul (left, second spot for DD2 Masters), Jonathan Pieterse (winner of the DD2 Masters at the championship) and Philippe Chapat (third position for the DD2 Masters championship).

Manelisi Nkomo (left, second position in the race), MJ Thekiso (winner of the Bambino class) and Mattao Mason (third position).

Troy Snyman (left, second position, Junior Max), Aqil Alibhai (winner, Junior Max) and Jordan Brooks (third position).

There are four upcoming races scheduled for the season. Rand Car Club will work close with the Formula K circuit organisers. There will be an African Rotax Open and a national event later this year. The date will be announced by Formula K.