Round 2 of the MSA National ROK Cup Karting Championship concluded at the Formula-K Kart Circuit on 27 May, with kart rookie Mikel Bezuidenhout claiming an opening heat podium in the new OKN class.
Although there have been few entries in the class, a number of drivers have already competed at both national and regional levels since it was introduced. Among the few consistent competitors is Bezuidenhout, whose performances have been steady.
During the qualifying phase, the Johannesburg teenager secured an impressive third position. In the opening heat, he continued his success and landed on the podium with a third-place finish. Following a strong start to Heat 2, the MTN Cosmo-Net / Vivo Mobile South Africa-backed driver made his way into second before dropping off the pace of his competitors to finish just off the podium in fourth. The final heat would disappoint the karting newcomer after a seat strut broke, leaving him with an agonising last four laps to the finish. He again finished fourth.
“After a positive start to our Saturday with a P3 in qualifying, we maintained our position for a satisfying podium finish. Unfortunately, I fell off the pace in the second heat and got passed by Troy (Snyman) and Nikki (Vostanis). Then in Heat 3, midway through the race, the strut supporting the seat broke, and it was a painful few laps after that with the seat breaking and me feeling every inch of the circuit through my rear end. I lost three seconds a lap, and it certainly wasn’t pleasant. We’ll move on from this and focus on the Senior MAX event coming up,” stated Bezuidenhout.
Round 3 of the MSA National ROK Cup Championship resumes on 4-5 August in Cape Town at the Killarney International Raceway. De Wet will, however, be back at Zwartkops Kart Raceway competing in the MSA Northern Regions Rotax Karting Championship on 10 June.
Published by: Motorsport Fanatix
Picture Caption: Mikel Bezuidenhout
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