Summarize

Cape kid karter Joaquin de Oliveira set off to a wild new world as he headed to the third round SA National Micro Max Championship at iDube in the Kwazulu Natal Midlands. It was 9-year old de Oliveira’s first trip to race upcountry and he did not disappoint.

“We had an eventful weekend with lots of ups and downs,” Joaquin explained. “I learned so much and I got stronger and stronger with each session.”  Joaquin qualified his ESA Partner FA Kart eighth on the grid for Race 1 and enjoyed a good dice with regular Cape rivals Valentino Hoffman and Reza Levy and Jozi lads Kyle Beukes Dhiyven Naidoo on his way to finish 8th. Joaquin started race 2 in 13th and fought back to finish ninth. 

But the final was without the highlight of Joaquin’s weekend. Starting 8th, de Oliveira was quickly up to fifth and lapping within a few tenths of the seasoned frontrunners. Joaquin then fought hard to stay in fifth and despite several challenges, he did it, coming home in fifth as best placed of the Cape karters in the heat to ensure that he ended up a fine seventh overall in between his home rivals Hoffman and Reese Koorzen. 

“It was close and tough racing with all the competitors and I had lots of fun on the track,” Joaquin concluded. Special thanks to my folks and my sponsors and well done to my rivals - that was a great experience.

Joaquin now returns to Killarney to fight for the Western Cape Mini Max championship he leads by just three points Saturday 22 July.