South Africa to host inaugural African Karting Cup
South Africa is set to shine as it hosts the first-ever African Karting Cup from 15 to 17 February in Benoni. Read on to find out more.
More than 15 African countries, including Angola, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania, South Africa and Zimbabwe, will be represented by 40 top-notch participants in the inaugural African Karting Cup (AKC) hosted in South Africa. It is set to take place at the Formula-K kart circuit in Benoni from February 15 to 17.
The event will also introduce a Mini Rok invitational, featuring OK-N and OK-J classes in an arrive-and-drive format.
Cindy Van Der Laan of Rok Cup South Africa, anticipates a thrilling competition, with OK-N competitors contending for a spot in the 2024 FIA OK-N Karting World Cup. The unique format includes 20 competitors per class with the same OTK chassis brand and Vortex pool engines drawn randomly, levelling the playing field.
The AKC promises excitement with a secret track layout revealed only on Thursday, February 15. Karting, considered the foundation of motorsport, serves as the training ground for emerging talents. South Africa boasts a pool of skilled karting talents, with drivers like Ethan Lennon, Enzo Rujugiro Luviwe Sambudla, and Nikolas Roos competing at the FIA level in Europe.
Adrian Scholtz, the CEO of Motorsport South Africa, acknowledges karting as the starting point for many successful drivers. Notable figures like Kelvin van der Linde, Sheldon van der Linde and Jordan Pepper began their careers in karting. Scholtz highlights the recent achievements of young talents Jarrod Waberski, Leyton Fourie and Kwanda Mokoena, who all started in karting and now make waves internationally.
The AKC will feature South African representatives Muhammad Wally, Niko Zafiris and Mikel Bezuidenhout in the OK-N class, and Sebastian Dias, Wian Boshoff and William Marshall in the OK-J class. African contenders to watch include Zaydaan Savania from Zimbabwe, David Ivan Andrianjafy, Matheo Rajomarison and Andi Nathan Rajoelison from Madagascar in the OK-J class. In the OK-N class, keep an eye on Jaedon Masiyanise from Zimbabwe, Jacobus van Dyk and Darius Kotze from Namibia, Martin Thyyge Noeigaard and Krrish Vadgama from Kenya, and Roy-Bako Baurch from Nigeria.
After this event, OK-N class winners will head to Europe for the FIA Karting World Cup, while OK-J class winners secure automatic qualification for the 2025 African Karting Cup. The Mini Rok invitational winner earns a qualified drive for the prestigious Super Final in Italy in October.
“For Motorsport dreamers, the AKC is the perfect stage to witness the talent the African continent has to offer,” concludes Van Der Laan.
Source: Cathy Findley PR / Photos: MOTORSPORT FANATIX
