Summarize

Rotax Max karting delivered a cracking fifth round Northern Regions championship meeting at Zwartkops on Saturday. Ideal for racing, mild conditions produced keen racing with multiple winners across the board as competition heats up for those all-important Gauteng karting crowns. 

It was a du Plessis benefit in top chain drive 22 kW Rotax Senior Max. Second heat winner Tristan took the day from opening race winner Keenan up from the Juniors, who slipped to fourth in the second race. Second and third was good enough for Spice Mailula to stand on the third podium step ahead of Tshepang Shisinwana, Georgia Lenaerts, Aikhil Naicker and Emma Dowling in a most competitive pack.

17 kW high school Rotax Junior Max delivered a simpler result as Brodi Dowling beat Logan Billau to both race wins. Behind them, Munsanje Mukosa won the battle for the final podium position by a solitary point from Keenan du Plessis, who ended up a further one point clear of Rafael de Sousa tied with Ronaldo Koen, Liphelo Debedu and Kiyaan Reddi among the scrapping midfield.

Lwashu Mathebula and Luke du Toit shared out the 10 kW under-13 Rotax Mini Max days, but du Toit took the winner’s trophy by virtue of his second versus Mathebula’s third in the other heat. Second in heat 2, Luhan de Wet was third for the day from Callum du Toit, the ever improving Parker van der Molen, Christian Naidoo and Micro champion Radhi Harris taking his first Mini step up.

Radhi Harris was on top form once again en route to a dominant 6 kilowatt under-11 Rotax Micro Max double from Yinhla Makhubele, Rofhiwa Ndwambi, Mozambican lass Teresa Bettencourt and Zwothe Magoda. Alonzo de Oliveira followed from Nicholas Fleming and Aston Verheul.

The opening race win and second in the following race was enough for Siyanda Nkwanyana to take the 2 kilowatt the nursery school of karting Bambino day for kids from 5 to 9-years old win. Third in the opening race and heat 2 winner Yerhu Malabie was second, while second and a fourth secured third for the day for Tyler Stanyer. Martin Gerrard was fifth from Grant William Sheehan, Jayden Minnie, and Handré Kukkuk. 

The sixth and final round of the 2026 Rotax Max Northern Regions championship happens on Saturday 31 October. Before Team South Africa heads for the ‘Olympics of Karting’ Rotax Max Grand Finals in Portimão, Portugal, 3-7 November. Learn more and follow Rotax Max Challenge South Africa at www.kart.co.za