Summarize

Rotax Max Challenge hosted a cracking penultimate Gauteng Northern Regions round 7 karting meeting at Formula K Raceway near Benoni on Saturday. It delivered exceptional racing and multiple winners throughout the field to spice the various class title races up heading to the November finale.

KC Ensor-Smith made a victorious return to the kart track as he defeated travelling Capetonian and national Investchem Formula 1600 rival Jason Coetzee two heats to one to claim top class Rotax DD2 gearbox honours. Olerato Sekudu, Karabo Malemela, Masters driver Bjorn Roos, Gabriel Fernandez and Zain Beuthin followed them home.

Rotax Senior Max delivered some exceptional racing as second race winner Kent Swartz hung on to beat final winner Roshaan Goodman, Mauro Da Luz and Nielsen Marx. The returning Ethan Bostander, who’s day fell apart after he won the opening heat, fended Liam Polome and Kian Spies for fifth. 

The girls were the ones to beat in high school Rotax Junior Max. Second race winner Georgia Lenaerts beat opening heat winner Cristian Verheul, Jesse Swart and Reece Butz. Emma Dowling bounced back from a tough day in the driver’s seat to take the final en route to fourth on the day, from newcomers Jonase Oathehile and Elektra Skordis.

 

The weekend’s primary school action saw final heat winner Durelle Goodman and Kiyaan Reddi benefit the winner of the opening two heats, Brodi Dowling hitting trouble in the final to take the overall honours from Downing in the Rotax under-13 age group Mini Max. Retlotleng Thekiso, Ruvan Maritz and Christian Naidoo closed off the top six there.

As one has come to expect, under-11 Rotax Micro Max delivered spectacular racing. Final race winner, Zwartkops scion Luke du Toit did enough to take the day with the final heat win over second race victor Adriaan Steyn, Luhan de Wet and opening heat winner Matthew Shuttleworth. Ronald Venter followed from Alessio Britz and Bono Raphunga.

Last but not least, overall winner Alonzo De Oliveira won two races en route to take the Bambino day from the ever improving Enzokuhle Ncwane, who was second in all three heats. Opening race winner Sebastien Shuttleworth ended third from Aston Verheul, Rofhiwa Ndwambi and newcomer Zonkizizwe Holomisa. 

With this regional action now out of the way, all eyes now shift to the SA team set off to Naples and fly the flag at the 23-26 October ‘Olympics of Karting’ Rotax Max Grand Finals. The Gauteng Northern Regions Rotax Max Challenge will meanwhile wrap up at Zwartkops on Saturday 30 November.