Summarize

Kwanda Mokoena may not have enjoyed the start he wanted to the 2017 karting season, but the Paulshof 12-year old showed a steely resolve to deliver a redeeming third place in the Saturday’s season opening Northern Regions Mini Rok karting action.

“We lacked serious horsepower today,” Kwanda admitted. “So I’m quite relieved to have bagged a third for the day! “I new we were going to struggle when I drove my heart out and only ended sixth on the grid. “So we changed one or two things in the engine hoping things would be better and I pushed hard but just couldn’t keep up to the pace early on, but managed to fight back to steal third in the end.

“Heat 2 was a disaster — we just went backwards, but I fought on to finish fourth and I drove my heart out again against the odds to finishing third. “I have never worked so hard for third, but at least we ended onto the podium, so special thanks to my parents, my brother and sister and Thabs and Eli - and to RKT for my faithful FA kart — see you at Vereeniging 04 March!”