Kart-racing star, Rafael wins South African Rotax Max Challenge Micro
Rafael has come a long way in his karting career, having sacrificed a lot to get to this point.
Making big waves in the kart racing sport, Rafael Da Silva won the South African Rotax Max Challenge Micro.
The St David’s Marist Inanda learner started go-karting in 2019 and began competing in the Micro Max class for ages 7–11 in 2021.
A beautiful journey it has been, but with challenges. Rafael believes that racing is his calling and love.
“I was the quadruple champion in 2022, taking all the titles for Micro Max, the South African Championship, the Africa Open, the Gauteng Championship, and the Club Championship in 2022.”
He added that in the recent Rotax Max national round one at IDube Raceway in KwaZulu Natal, he took first place for the day, and at the Rotax Max national round two at Formula K Raceway in Benoni, he came in second, losing out to Brodi Dowling.
“Rotax Max national round three at Killarney National Raceway in Cape Town, I won first place in heat one; in heat two, I took fourth place; and I came back strong in heat three, taking first place.”
Rafael highlights that racing consistently in the 2023 Micro Max class helped him retain his South African championship in 2023.
“We are not part of a team; it is just Dad and me. My uncle Neil from NBR helps us out a lot, with advice on certain things concerning the kart, and Uncle Cungu is the technological brain with race times and the computing side of things.”
He added that he is so grateful for their help, love, and support, but his dad is the only person who works on his kart and engine.
“I would like to thank my sponsors, Archies Poultry and 02 Air Conditioning, for their support.”
He concluded that he is a part of the South African national team and will be competing in the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals, known as the ‘Olympics of karting’, in Bahrain.
Related article:
