Summarize

Mozambican karting star Ghazi Motlekar is making great progress in the Italian Rotax Junior Max championship. The reigning South African Mini Max champion strengthened his 2021 title chase third place with an overall win off a first heat third and a second race win in the past weekend’s mid-season fifth round at Ala.

“It was back to Italian championship action this last weekend and it went very well,” Ghazi confirmed. “I qualified fourth with championship leader Kiko Fracassi on pole from his teammate and second in the title race, Giacomo Marchioro. “I paced myself in the race and made a late move to take third from Marchioro. “I had a very good start in race 2 and Kiko and I got away, while Giacomo fell back. “I kept Kiko under pressure, worked out my move and pounced in the last corner.

“It worked very well, Kiko tried to fight back but went off and dropped to third, which gave me the win for the day. That saw us close up the championship top three, so I'm now within striking distance of Kiko and just a few points behind Giacomo, so we can’t wait for the rest of the season. “I am so enjoying racing in Italy, there’s such a great spirit between us friends and rivals, which makes it all so much more enjoyable!

“We are enjoying a great first year in Junior Max in Italy and around Europe, alongside our FIA Academy races and I’m learning so much, so huge thanks Luca and the guys at Munaretto Performance, for all the support and a fantastic kart every time, and to my parents for making all this possible — I am living my dream!”