Summarize

World Mini Max karting champion endured a tough day at the races on his step up to the bigger Junior Max class in the Northern Regions karting championship season opener on Saturday. Jayden however took the knocks and bounced back to show great pace as the day progressed.

“Today was a tough one,” Jayden grinned. “But we turned it around and I’m happy with the progress we made through the day. “Qualifying was OK - I ended up fourth on the grid and three tenths off the pace, but race 1 was a bit of a disaster. 

“I ended up off the track and dropped to the back on lap 1 and to make things worse, the kart was a bit bent, so I struggled for pace too and ended up eleventh on the second race grid. “The second race start was also quite chaotic and I took a while to make up a little ground, but I was much happier with the kart and my pace was good and I made up six places through the race to end up sixth.

“The finale was far better, but also not ideal - I started fifth and then two karts tangled in front and the rest of us had to slow to avoid them, which let Blaine Rademeyer get away up front, so I chased Jordan North home to end up third. “So yeah, it was a difficult day all round and I suppose we will have to be satisfied with fifth, but most importantly I was on the pace in the end and we definitely have some more to come, so roll on Vereeniging on 04 March.”