What Rotax Max national Finals Preview
Where Zwartkops International Kart Raceway, Pretoria
When 29-30 August 2025
Community South Africa National
Rotax Finals to crown champions, shape SA team
The South African Rotax Max Challenge Nationals will come to a head when the cream of the country’s karting crop descends on the Zwartkops International Kart Raceway to fight it out the weekend of 29 and 30 August. The champions will also earn their seats in the Rotax Max ‘Olympics of Karting’ Grand Finals, so it will be absolutely no-holds barred in Pretoria.
Cape Town drivers have dominated premium class Rotax DD2 this season. Old rivals Jason Coetzee and Sebastian Boyd lead a Province 1-2-3-4 over Matthew Wadeley and Anwill April as they make the trek north. KZN veteran Shrien Naidoo sits fifth ahead of the best of the home boys, Dusan Radojevic in the chase. But will a wildcard surprise in Tshwane?
It’s thrilling in Rotax DD2 Masters, where just nine points split the top three. Recent Cape settler Jonathan Pieterse leads the way from former KZN compatriot, Rotax Max legend, and multiple world champion Cristiano Morgado. Mozambican Cristian Bouché however has both of them in his sights, while Cape lad Jimmy Auby and best Gauteng driver Justin Rogers are ready to play interference.
Another Cape driver, Charl Visser sits comfortably atop the Rotax Senior Max table. Jozi karting ladies Gianna Pascoal, Georgia Lenaerts and Tayla Scrimjeour will want to impress as Woman’s Month comes to an end, but they will have the best of the lads including Jordon Wadeley, Jonno Wilson, Roshaan Goodman, Ethan Bostander, Kent Swartz, and the consistent Rudi Schlusser to contend with too.
Eastern Cape lad Caleb Moss leads Cape Town driver Sebastiano Human in high school Rotax Junior Max. They have another leading Gauteng lass, Emma Dowling, another EP racer Jack Moore, and the Jozi lot including Reagile Mailula, Tshepang Shisinwana, Cristian Verheul and Sebastian Blignaut on their case. Watch for some wildcard action from the likes of Matao Mason, Keenan du Plessis and Matthew Shuttleworth in the Juniors too.
Just two points separate local lad Brody Dowling and his Cape rival Max Boshoff in what promises to be another epic title chase in under-13 Rotax Mini Max. Declan Jurgens, Rafael de Souza, Ronaldo Koen sit close enough behind to pull off a surprise, and never underestimate Gauteng locals, Rafael Da Silva, Ruvan Maritz and Christian Naidoo and KZN kid Michael Arde in what promises to be another monster Mini grid in Pretoria.
Jozi lad Luhan de Wet was in imperious form as he took the under 11 Rotax Micro Max title lead away from Cape lad Michael O’Mahoney at iDube in KZN last time out. They still have two more locals, Luke du Toit and Adriaan Steyn and Western Province kids, Yaqeen Gamieldien Radhi Harris, and Jake Steyn close enough behind to hang on to a glimmer of title hope in Pretoria.
The kindergarten of South African karting is all about Gauteng kids in 2025. Alonzo de Oliveira leads the way to the Finals from Sebastien Shuttleworth, Yerhu Malaba, Zonkizizwe Holomisa, Tiyani Malabie, Yinhla Makhubele, Rofhiwa Ndwambi and Tyler Stanyer. Watch for a little interference from Cape kid Divaaj Govender, Mozambican lass Teresa Bettencourt and Sean Arde from KZN this weekend.
“The Rotax Max Nationals have proven sensational so far this season,” Rotax SA CEO Ed Murray concludes. “Exceptional racing from record entry grids and tight championships now lead up to the four-heat South African Finals, where we will not only crown our 2025 champions, but also set the South African team for the Rotax Max Grand Finals ‘Olympics of Karting’ in Bahrain in December. Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines!”
Head to Zwartkops to lap it up in person or catch the Rotax Max National action live streamed at www.kart.co.za Saturday 30 August.
Issued on behalf of Rotax Max Challenge
Photography by: Motorsport Fanatix
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