Summarize

The 2021 Rotax Max Challenge is ready to race into a bold new era with the ’21 season set to explode into action in two weeks with the same objectives as always — to crown the top competitors South Africa and then return to the ‘Olympics of Karting’ International Rotax Max Grand Finals in search of more world titles for SA’s best karters.

“We are ready to race!” Rotax Max Challenge South Africa boss Ed Murray confirmed on Monday. “It’s a new dawn in many ways, but the objectives are always the same — to crown our Rotax Max regional, national and world champions as we have always done. “This year is a little different — we enter a new administrative dispensation under Karting SA and World of Motorsport ZA and we’re beyond excited about that!

“But the focus remains fully on racing and with the regionals starting already in less than two weeks in KZN and then rapidly picking up in the Cape and Gauteng, before the first National at Killarney on 27th March, we are all set for a thrilling season ahead. “It’s been a turbulent few months with a condensed post lockdown season, the change in our national association and the cancellation of the Grand Finals, but now we look forward.

“2021 will be a watershed season for us in many ways, but nothing will change that proven recipe of tightly controlled, attractive and brilliant Rotax Max Challenge racing on a level playing field.”  

The South African Rotax Max Challenge continues with its regular classes in 2021, starting with the little guys and girls in Bambinos, which have boomed in their first seasons as a national championship. Next up is under-11 junior-primary school age Micro Max, where the kids race state of the art base-level 125cc watercooled two-stroke engines in 95cm junior kart chassis as they chase that hallowed ticket to the most competitive karting finals on the planet.

Next up, under-13 senior primary age kids compete in Mini Max, still racing the same 95cm chassis with a slight step up in power and weight. The big step to high school age Junior Max, which races on full-size chain drive chassis with a significant step up in power. Then it’s up to the top fixed drive class, Rotax Senior Max with full cream 30 bhp 125cc water-cooled engines. All class champions qualify to represent SA in the Rotax Max World Finals.

The premier Rotax Max karting class is the direct-drive 2-speed DD2, which regularly attracts the country’s top drivers. DD2 also features the over-32 Masters class for Rotax Max karting and often sees multiple motor sporting champions like Michael Stephen, Cris Morgado, Leeroy Poulter showing their skills. South Africa has a proud heritage of delivering world champions at the grand finals and 2021 will be no different.

“We have a few final I's to dot and T's to cross on certain admin details, but 2021 will usher in a new era of Rotax Max karting,” Ed Murray concluded. “We are taking it back to basics in several critical areas that will make the Rotax Max Challenge far more fulfilling and enjoyable, but still the same fair and competitive sport it has always been. "We are ready to race!”

Find out all you need to know about Rotax Max Challenge South Africa at www.kart.co.za