Summarize

South African Mini Rok karting champion Kwanda Mokoena was delighted to make it into the Mini Rok International Finals in Italy over the weekend. Mokoena had to fight through a tough series of heats to be one of just 32 drivers out of 162 competitors out of five groups to make the cut, before delivering a positive drive to fight an ailing kart to end up 28th overall.

“We came here with mission impossible and that was to make it to the Mini Rok World Grand Final and we did it,” Paulshof, Sandton 13-year old Kwanda beamed after Saturdays Final. “I was super stoked and proud of myself as I qualified 12th and I fought hard every race to get to the front — it was very tough, but I posted my best times yet in Italy and ran in the top 5 in my group several times. “I did four races finishing 6th ,10th and 13th and 5th in the ultimate pre-final. 

“With so many drivers racing, fifth in my heat meant that I started the Grand Final in 32nd, but I fought hard to make it to 20th until the bumping and pushing must have unsettled something in my kart as we started losing pace, but I soldiered on and finished 28th out of 162 of the world’s best drivers!

“Most importantly, I must dedicate this race to my mechanic Miles ‘Thabs’ Thabaing who lost his daughter in the week before the race and missed the trip too. “Our thoughts are with you Thabs — this one is for you.

“I would also like to thank God, my parents and a big thank you to Elijah from Squadra Corse, RKT, Ward Racing, KGT Racing, Rivonia Primary School and all my supporters — especially mom, dad and my sister!”