What Rotax Max Challenge Northern Regions Round 5 Race Report
Where Zwartkops International Kart Raceway, Pretoria
When Saturday 15 July 2023
Community Gauteng Regional
Cat and mouse in last regional before Pretoria national
Zwartkops hosted a well-supported fifth round Northern Regions Rotax Max Karting meeting on Saturday. Something of a mini national. it attracted a strong out of town contingent keen to get their eye in before the final four-race National Finals at the twisty, undulating, and challenging Pretoria figure of eight circuit late next month.
It was an intriguing meeting, with many of the non-points scoring favourites clearly opting to run less powerful engines and old tyres to get to grips with the track, rather than chasing glory up front.
A sizable DD2 gearbox grid entertained with three different winners in the three races. Brad Liebenberg took the final to wrap the day up with a trio of podiums after local rival Nicolaos Vostanis and Cape visitor Sebastian Boyd took the other wins. They however ended up behind the consistent Kian Grottis in second overall. KZN visitor Jonathan Pieterse meantime beat Kyle Lawrence two races to one to take DD2 Masters honours as Phillipe Chapat took the Vets win.
KC Ensor-Smith took two Senior Max wins en route to the day’s win from Muhammad Wally, who was second all day long. That because third overall, Roshaan Goodman also beat Wally to the final race win. Olerato Sekudo ended fourth for the day from Jeandre Nel, Ethan Bostander, an under the radar Troy Snyman, and Nielen Marx.
A well supported high school Junior Max grid delivered another three winners in its three heats as second race winner Jonno Wilson edged final heat victor Kent Swartz for overall honours. Cape visitor Jordon Wadeley filled the third podium step ahead of Georgia Lenaerts, Mauro Da Luz, Amani Kinyua, Gianna Pascoal, Muhammed Kalla, after opening race winner Wian Boshoff failed to start the final.
If the primary school classes are anything to go by, karting, and the future of South African motorsport in general, is in very good health, with over 30 entries between the two classes in a regional meeting. Kegan Martin took a two race to one under-13 Mini Max overall win over Spice Mailula, Durelle Goodman and Taylin Patel. National rivals, Cape lad Keagan Beaumont and East London kid Caleb Odendaal enjoyed a private duel for fifth ahead of Franco Gibhard and Jesse Swart.
Rafael De Sousa’s run to a triple win for the day was spoiled by second overall Brodi Dowling taking the second under-11 Micro Max race win. Rafael Da Silva was in the mix en route to third for the day there, ahead of Cristian Verheul, Benjamin Gibhard, Kiyaan Reddi, Ruvan Maritz, Ronaldo Koen, and the rest.
Adriaan Steyn took two baby Bambino races to overcome race one winner Luhan de Wet and take the day. Luke du Toit kept a watching brief in third from Lwashu Mathebula, Alonzo De Oliveira, Aston Verheul Emre Froneman and Ronald Bodhi Venter. There’s still plenty Rotax Max action left, with KZN and Cape regionals before that 26 August National back at Zwartkops.
Issued on behalf of Rotax Max Challenge
Photography by: Willie Pretorius – Motorsport Fanatix
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