Podium finish for Kyalami racer

KYALAMI – The 14-year-old Jarrod Waberski roared through his first-ever main circuit race on 14 March to earn himself a place on the podium.

April 7, 2020

Robyn Kirk 1 minute read

The 14-year-old first got into the sport when he was about four years old. Photo: Motorsport Fanatix

Jarrod Waberski put pedal to the metal during his first-ever main circuit race, even earning a spot on the podium.

The 14-year-old from Kyalami competed in the 2020 South African Investchem Formula 1600 race, held at Zwartkops Raceway on 14 March. Although Jarrod has been karting since he was about four years old, this race was the first time he competed in the main circuit and only started training in his DAW Racing Mygale 1600 last year August.

Jarrod Waberski says that entering the main circuit was a big jump from the karting he had done before. *Photo: Motorsport Fanatix*

During the event, Jarrod came sixth in his first race, ninth in the second and third in the third, earning himself fourth place overall. “It’s been a big jump from racing my kart to racing the 1600,” he said. “The main differences are sizing and speed: in a kart you can go about 120km while in the new vehicle you can go up to 260km.

The 14-year-old Jarrod Waberski first got into the sport when he was about four years old. *Photo: Motorsport Fanatix*

“Practising is also different – for karting, I could practise over the weekend and for a whole day if I wanted to, but for the main circuit you can only practise on Wednesday afternoons for two or three hours.”

Although he had hoped the race day would see him finishing in the top 10, Jarrod was surprised that he came fourth overall on the day. “I really didn’t expect to be that high, so it was quite a surprise!”

Jarrod Waberski placed fourth overall at the competition, a result he was not expecting. *Photo: Motorsport Fanatix*

The Waberski family was also thrilled with the results, particularly as Jarrod is following in the footsteps of previous generations – both his father and his grandfather raced as well.

“The results have been breathtaking,” explained Julie Waberski, Jarrod’s mother.

“We didn’t expect these results and we are so proud of him…I believe Jarrod is very lucky to have his dad as he makes his way through this sport. There are a lot of highs and lows and success is 50 per cent you and 50 per cent out of your control. That takes a lot out of the kids mentally, and his father has helped Jarrod navigate that.”

Jarrod Waberski began practising in his 1600 engine vehicle last year August. *Photo: Motorsport Fanatix*

Jarrod will continue to gain experience on the South African main circuit during the next year or two, and then hopes to start competing internationally.

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