SA returns to Portimão Portugal for Rotax action
Karting is the breeding ground of racing champions and karting in South Africa boasts a rich history of bringing home the bacon from international competitions.
After an absence of two years due to Covid-19, 12 South African karting racers will again compete against the best in the world in Portugal from November 20 to 26.
Here’s the challenge. Each driver and team will receive an unsorted kart, fuel, and tyres upon arrival and they have to set the car up for the race week.
The heats are ruthless and only 33 riders will eventually line up in each class final.
Three will drivers represent South Africa in the premier class DD2 Grand Finals. Capetonian archrivals, SA DD2 champion Sebastian Boyd and runner up Joseph Oelz qualified by virtue of that 1-2. They will be backed by wildcard African Open winner and multiple SA DD2 champion and Grand Finals regular, Brad Liebenberg, in a mighty top class team.
2022 national over-32 DD2 Masters champion, Eugene Brittz, returns to the Rotax Max Grand Finals as SA’s only representative in the masters’ age group class at Portimão. National runner-up, Gauteng lad, Karabo Malemela, and KZN driver and African Open winner, Shrien Naidoo, will fly the flag in the Senior Max Grand Finals. A third Senior Max driver, Moosa Kajee, will race in the new Rotax Max Project E20 Electric class.
“The South African team is ready to make a huge comeback at the 2022 Rotax Max Grand Finals at Portimão after two years of missing the ‘Olympics of Karting’ through lockdown,” South African Rotax Max boss Ed Murray explained.
“Twelve South Africans have qualified for the regular classes, plus one driver competing in Rotax Max’s new electric kart class.
“The Rotax Max Grand Final is an unforgettable experience.
“Each kid and their parents in green and gold qualified for this unique opportunity of representing South Africa by winning championships and races back home.
“Irrespective of how they fare, they will treasure these memories for life.”
You can follow the action on live stream via the newly launched rotax-kart.com website and www.kart.co.za.
Source: MotorsportMedia / Photos: Paul Velasco
