What Rotax Max Challenge Nationals Preview
Where Formula K Raceway, Benoni, Gauteng
When Saturday 13 June 2026
Community South Africa National
Can Cape Max karting dominance continue in Benoni?
It’s a case of catch the Capetonians as the South African Rotax Max Challenge gathers in Benoni for its second of four National rounds at the Formula K kart track on Sunday 14 June. Western Province drivers dominated their home round season opener in March with six wins in each of the Killarney day’s six Rotax classes they competed in.
So it’s a classic case of the north home heroes versus the visitors from the south this weekend. Cape 1-2 Charl Michael Visser and Matthew Wadeley had Durban lad Shrien Naidoo come closest to upsetting them in 25 kW direct drive two-speed Rotax DD2 back at Killarney. So can Naidoo come good on neutral ground?
Jamie Smith and Dusan Radojevic are out to defend Jozi DD2 home glory and don’t ignore Namibian racer Nikita Thieme, Ethan Stier and Tony Auby, either. And in DD2 Masters Cape men, Jared and Michael Jordan and Conor Hughes will have to deal with Jonathan Pieterse and Bloemfontein driver Justin Allison at FK.
A most significant grid of 22 kW top class chain drive karts is set to go to war in Rotax Senior Max at Formula K. Western Province drivers Sebastiano Human and Geo Cristl, Matthew Carter and Jordon Wadeley, Eastern Cape lad Caleb Moss, and KZN kid Travis Mingay are among those set to fight it out with Jozi karters, Spice Mailula Kian Spies and the Goodman brothers among the Benoni mine dumps.
Expect a straight Province versus Gauteng spat in 17 kW high school Rotax Junior Max. Three drivers won the three races last time out. WP lad Aleks Praizovic leads the log, but Jozi kids Rafael da Souza and Brodi Dowling also won at Killarney. And never ignore Kiyaan Reddi, Ronaldo Koen, and Declan Jurgens among that writhing Junior pack.
Cape gang, Killarney winner Liam Wharton and Juan Stander can expect more competition from the Jozi gang in 10 kW inder-13 Rotax Mini Max in Benoni. Upcountry lads, Luke and Callum du Toit, Diego Antunes, Christian Naidoo, Kireev Chetty and Luhan de Wet are set to impress at home.
Cape kids, Killarney 6 kilowatt under-11 Rotax Micro Max winner Slater Smith, Radhi Harris, and Yaseen Panday travel to Benoni to meet Jozi rivals, Alonzo de Oliveira, Aston Verheul, Rofhiwa Ndwambi, Jordan Jurgens, Zwothe Magoda. Racing girls, Mozambican Teresa Bettencourt, will also want revenge at Formula K.
Last but not least, Zaid Panday leads the 2 kilowatt nursery school of karting Bambino chase to Benoni. He takes on Killarney heat winners, Tiyani Malabie, Ndlovu Melokhule and Yerhu Malabie, and Tyler Stanyer, Zonkizizwe Holomisa and Siyanda Nkwanyana.
“Following the brilliant Cape Town opener, and after a lengthy delay caused by the postponement of round 2, we look forward to the Benoni Rotax Max National with great interest,” Rotax South Africa CEO Ed Murray concludes. “Now let’s see if that Cape domination continues in their Gauteng rivals’ lion’s den!”
The South African Rotax Max Challenge races over four National rounds. Each champion and July’s wildcard African Open winners will represent South Africa at November’s ‘Olympics of Karting’ Rotax Max Grand Finals in Portugal in. Formula K in Benoni hosts round 2 on Sunday 14 June 2026. Learn more at www.kart.co.za
Issued on behalf of Rotax Max Challenge
Photography by: Abri de Bruin
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