Judd Bertholdt (7), has proved that nothing can stop him.
Defying all odds, the Grade 1 pupil at Dainfern College, achieved the incredible by achieving success in both club championships and regional Atlas Copco Cadet Carting for the 2016 season, despite many obstacles.
“Judd has a very tenacious attitude and a very strong will to win, so when the season started with some difficulties, he soon fixed it,” said the cart racer’s father, Gary. Judd had some technical failures throughout the season, which made it seem like he wouldn’t be in contention for the championships.
Yet he went on to win two rounds in the Gauteng Regional Championship at Zwartkops Raceway and Vereeniging Kart Circuit. That still wasn’t enough for Judd, and he swept the floor clean in the next three rounds at both tracks, which put him in the lead for both the Gauteng Regional Championship and the Club Championship.
Again trouble headed for the young star when he was practising for the third last round and ended up in an accident. After X-rays and crutches, Judd friends and family thought that his season was over.
The championship was the day after the accident, and Judd wasn’t supposed to race due to his injuries. Even though everyone advised against it, he refused to quit. “I haven’t worked this hard at this championship to let it go, I have to race, please,” Judd told his dad. Gary relented and allowed his son to finish what he had set out to do.
Judd’s team had to rent a new cart chassy and took old part from his original cart to build a new one so that it could be fit for competition.
The youngster was afraid at first and quite nervous to overtake the other karts. But fear was not going to stop this determined boy from racing all-out. He finished third at Zwartkops, which kept him in the running for the championship.
When Judd went into the final round, he was ahead by three points. “It was down to the wire,” said Bertholdt’s mom, Mare-Lize. In the second heat, the carburettor broke and he finished second.
“Second place was achieved in the championship competing against a very tough and experienced field,” said Mare-Lize, proud of her son’s incredible achievements despite setbacks this season.
“It pays to keep at it, to get the results,” added an elated Gary.
Add us on Whatsapp for the latest news by adding 079 4395 345 to your contact list and just send your name and surname to us so we can save your number. Click here to find out more about our Whatsapp policy.
