Mini ROK rookie Kayde Cornofsky announced himself this weekend, showing incredible pace on debut despite the results not going his way. Competing at his first national of the season, the 2023 National Kid ROK Champion ran at the front end of the field with some of the more experienced drivers.
Despite qualifying in seventh on Saturday morning, Kayde put in a gritty opening heat performance to move up the order and vie for the final podium position. While crossing the finish line in fourth, Kayde would be demoted five positions following a driving incident.
Heat 2 would prove to be his scourge. After breaking the tramline before the lights went out at the start, Kayde would pick up a three-second penalty to see him classified in eighth. He again battled for the podium during the race before briefly taking up the second position. While short-lived, Kayde would drop down the order to fifth and then sixth following an incident.
Eager to put the earlier disappointments behind him, the final heat would see Kayde’s best result. Starting from fourth for the third consecutive heat, the Xtreme Racing Team driver again found himself in a tussle for the final podium position. When the chequered flag dropped, however, he finished in fifth. In the overall standings, Kayde was classified eighth.
“We didn’t quite get the results we had hoped for this weekend, but we leave Cape Town full of confidence, having shown that we have a strong pace and that, as a rookie, I can mix it with the front runners. I picked up a few unfortunate penalties, but that is all part of racing. We move on and turn our attention to the regional championship next month. Thank you, my sponsors, for the support, and well done to the team this weekend,” said Kayde.
Round 1 of the Northern Regions ROK Kart Championships begins on 6 April.
Kayde is backed by Allegiance Properties, Cornofsky Attorneys, Calisto’s Portuguese Restaurant, Smith Garage and The 357.
Published by: Motorsport Fanatix
Picture Caption: Kayde Cornofsky
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