Lambton resident and Jeppe High School for Boys learner Renzo Ribeiro (16) is making a mark on the racing tracks.
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Ribeiro participated in the Formula Libre Gauteng at Zwartkops Raceway extreme festival on February 18 when he took first place.
The young driver said he grew up watching Formula 1 and his father raced as well.
This awakened his interest in the sport.
“The love of racing has always been there as I was surrounded by the sport. It was only a matter of time before I got into the sport,” said Ribeiro.
He said coming first means a lot to him.
“The win was a perfect opportunity to showcase the talent I have been blessed with and show that the impossible can be done if your mind is set on it.”
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He plans to pursue sports as far as he can but has not decided what career path he will venture on.
Ribeiro looks up to Micheal Schumacher.
“My love for racing and his talent inspired me.”
The young racer will be racing again on March 4 at the Red Star Raceway in Delmas.
He only started racing the Formula Libra Series this year, in his 1992 Formula GTI Swift.
He had only completed 13 laps of testing at Midvaal Raceway a few days before the race and he then went on to qualify on Saturday morning at Zwartkops Raceway, in pole position.
The first race was at 11:20 and Ribeiro was at lap four, half a lap ahead of his closest rival.
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His first-place finish came as a surprise as he wasn’t familiar with the car or how it drives.
The second race started at 14:20 and Ribeiro again led the race from start to finish to take maximum points.
