On 10 June, the MSA Northern Regions Rotax Karting Championships held its fourth round at Zwartkops Kart Circuit. KC Ensor-Smith, the current Senior MAX championship leader, claimed a double victory to win the day’s result and further strengthen his rule over the class.
On Saturday morning, Ensor-Smith qualified in second. Although he wasn’t the fastest driver during Qualifying, he was the quickest in race trim, setting the fastest lap in all three of the day’s heats, including breaking the circuit lap record. During the first heat, in which he broke the previous lap record, he finished as the runner-up following an intense duel with Muhammad Wally. It was also only the second time this season that the Toyota Gazoo Racing Junior Academy driver did not finish first.
He was, however, back to his best for Heats 2 and 3, taking both victories ahead of Wally to extend his lead over his rivals with two rounds remaining in the regional competition. Ensor-Smith has now won ten of the 12 heats thus far this season.
“Pretty satisfied with the result today. The team was superb, and I had an excellent kart under me. I think the lap times speak for themselves, with only nine-thousandths-of-a-second between my three quickest laps in each heat. Not only do we walk away with the win but also a new circuit record which is just reward for the effort the team has put in. Thank you to Toyota Gazoo Racing and its Junior Academy for making it all possible,” said Ensor-Smith.
Ensor-Smith will head to the Aldo Scribante Racetrack, Gqeberha, this weekend (16-17 June) for the fourth round of the Investchem Formula 1600 before returning to karting in a few weeks time for the penultimate national round of the South African Rotax MAX Challenge hosted at the Killarney International Raceway, Cape Town.
Published by: Motorsport Fanatix
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