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He may just be eight years old, but Milnerton Primary School Grade 3 kid Joaquin De Oliveira took a major step toward his dream of winning a South African karting championships and to compete in the world finals, when he won the Micro Max class aboard his ESA partner Kito FA Kart at Saturday’s Killarney round of the 2017 South African Karting Championship.

De Oliveira was one of three kids to win a race each in the class on Saturday and his first overall victory came on a count-back of results, whereby his winning the first race of three was what clinched it, but he was non the less ecstatic. “I am so proud today,” 2016 WP Cadet Kart champion Joaquin admitted gripping a trophy almost as big as him Saturday evening. “I came back from 7th place and fought my way to the front to win the first race and that’s what won me the day! 

“The second race was a battle up front and I was happy with second, but the third heat was tough — I was leading but I fell back to 11th, so I fought hard and I passed five karts in four laps to end up sixth and that made sure I won for the day. “Thanks so much to my mom and dad; my manager Kito Perdigao — all his hard work is paying off — and to my sponsor ESA Partner.”

Joaquin returns to regional action at Killarney 20 May before travelling to iDube in the KZN Midlands for his next national karting appointment on 8 July.