The 2023 Rotax MAX Challenge (RMC) African Open concluded at the Zwartkops Kart Raceway this past weekend, with East London’s Caleb Odendaal finishing third in the final.
Arriving in Pretoria, Odendaal had hoped to defend his African Open crown that he had won at the iDube Kart Raceway in 2022. Despite a valiant effort, Odendaal, who did not need to compete at the event, had already secured an entry to this year’s RMC Grand Finals in the Kingdom of Bahrain by clinching the national championship. Lacking the pace of some front runners and recovering from a bout of Tonsillitis certainly didn’t help the young Eastern Cape charger’s cause. But with a regional championship round remaining and the RMCGF three months away, the weekend served as good preparation for the remainder of the season.
“It was a tough weekend for sure,” stated Odendaal. “Besides being unable to challenge the leader, the extreme heat and not feeling completely fit made it very challenging. But I make no excuses. We came to compete, and I gave it my all. Spice (Reagile Mailula) was too quick for any of us this weekend, and I must congratulate him on a fine drive. I look forward to teaming up with him in Bahrain as we take on the rest of the world.”
While the 2023 RMC Grand Finals is set for 2-9 December, Odendaal will first compete in the final regional round of the Northern Regions Rotax Kart Championships on 28 October 2023.
Odendaal thanks his sponsors; Legend Motors, Mpekweni Beach Resorts, NTT VW East London, Motronix and WORR Motorsport.
Published by: Motorsport Fanatix
Picture Caption: Caleb Odendaal
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