Summarize

Dainfern racing rookie Ghazi Motlekar only started karting for fun a year ago, but if his performance at the weekend’s South African Rotax Mini Max Finals are anything to go by, the ten-year old is certainly worth keeping an eye on. Motlekar arrived at Zwartkops an effective seventh in the title chase, but once the dust had settled, the young man had vaulted to fifth following a driving display far beyond his limited experience.

“Wow, that was a long and challenging weekend,” Ghazi admitted. “We knew we had a chance to move up two places in the championship, so we had something special to aim for. “It started well - I qualified sixth despite a problem with a rear tyre, and then I had a bit of a lonely race once I had dealt with Mandla Mlangeni, but I finished fifth in front of both him and Ethan Stier, who were both just ahead of me in the championship, but heat 2 was fun with some hard dicing and defending, but I overcame all that to end up sixth.

Heat 3 was even tougher, I had a great dice with Mandla, but I stood my ground and kept sight of the end goal and beat him home in fifth again. “It was very close between Mandla, Ethan and me with one race left to run, but heat 4 was the highlight for me — Wesleigh and my champion-making team made sure that my kart was at its absolute best and I was able to pass another rival close to the finish to earn the three points I needed to end up fifth in the championship, with Ethan and Mandla both within three points of me in the end!

“The season is over, but our work for 2020 is just starting — I will be back in Mini Max with a great year of learning behind me and everything to race for. I am hugely thankful to Wesleigh and uncle Hughey Orr, Stanley and Lenard for all your advice and support — you guys are my guiding light — now we just can’t wait for next year!"