Corsa dei Gemelli enjoyed a highly successful start to the 2026 Investchem MSA4 Championship at the Killarney International Raceway, with Mikel Bezuidenhout delivering a commanding performance across the weekend while team-mate Wianko Fourie showed encouraging progress as he continued to familiarise himself with the car.
From the outset, Bezuidenhout established himself as the benchmark. The experienced single-seater campaigner topped the qualifying session, narrowly edging out Renzo Ribeiro to secure pole position for the opening race of the season.
When the lights went out for Race 1, Bezuidenhout immediately converted that pace into race-winning form. Controlling the race from the front, he managed the pressure from former F4 racer Aqil Alibhai and Ribeiro to take victory after ten laps, crossing the line more than a second clear of the field.
While Bezuidenhout was dominating at the front, Fourie endured a difficult first race as he continued adapting to the turbocharged VW-powered MSA4 machine. The rookie completed five laps before retiring, but valuable mileage during the race allowed him to better understand the car and circuit combination.
Race 2 would again highlight Bezuidenhout’s experience and composure. Launching strongly and settling into a consistent rhythm, he once more held off the chasing pack to secure his second victory of the weekend. He took the chequered flag ahead of Alibhai, completing a perfect weekend for the Corsa dei Gemelli driver.
Fourie, meanwhile, showed significant improvement in the second encounter. Building confidence with every lap, the rookie completed the full race distance and brought the car home in 10th place, demonstrating clear progress as he continued learning both the car and the highly competitive MSA4 field.
For Bezuidenhout, the weekend showcased the value of his growing single-seater experience as he expertly managed both races.
Mikel Bezuidenhout: “It was a fantastic way to start the season. The team gave me a really strong car all weekend and we were able to control the races from the front. The competition in MSA4 is incredibly close, so it was important to stay calm and manage the gaps. To come away with pole position and two wins is the perfect start for Corsa dei Gemelli.”
Fourie was equally encouraged by the learning curve across the weekend.
Wianko Fourie: “It’s been a big step coming into the MSA4 car, but every session I’m learning more about how it behaves and how to get the most out of it. The first race was tough, but we made good progress and finishing Race 2 showed how much more comfortable I was becoming. I’m really looking forward to building on this momentum at the next round.”
With a dominant double victory and clear signs of progress from its rookie driver, Corsa dei Gemelli leaves the opening round with strong momentum as the 2026 Investchem MSA4 Championship begins to take shape.
Published by: Raymond Cornwell
Picture Caption: Mikel Bezuidenhout
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