Summarize

With the South African Rotax Max National Finals in just two weeks’ time, the traditional Zwartkops pre-final regionals proved a major step towards national glory on Saturday. Drivers from across the country made it a mini National with huge grids, close racing, and much needle across the classes.

The exception, perhaps, was in DD2, where the resurgent Jamie Smith strolled to a trio of victories to sound a solid warning to his rivals across the country. Dusan Radojevic was second from Namibian Kian Fussell, Elektra Skordis and Cape Masters visitor Jono Pieterse.

Sixteen Senior Max karts thrilled on track, but winning race 2 and 3 would not be enough for home hero Kent Swartz to prevent Cape interloper Charl Visser from taking the day with a win and a couple of seconds. Local lass Gianna Pascoal ended third from Jonno Wilson, another quick lass Georgia Lenaerts and Amani Kinyua.

Another Cape opening race winner, Sebastiano Human did enough to keep locals, second heat victor Reagile Mailula and Emma Dowling behind in another epic 16-kart Zwartkops high school Junior Max bout. Final race winner Tshepang Shisinwana edged Cristian Verheul and Keenan du Plessis for fourth.

On-form Brodi Dowling sounded a National Final warning with a hat trick of under-13 Mini Max wins over Declan Jurgens and Cape visitor Max Boshoff. Rafael de Souza followed from Renaldo Koen, Retlotleng Thekiso and Namibian Nande Kaiyamano on a 20-kart grid. Adriaan Steyn beat Luhan de Wet two races to one in under 11 Micro Max. Cape lad Michael O’Mahoney was third from Luke du Toit and Ronald Venter.

Alonzo de Oliveira came from behind to clinch an unlikely baby Bambino victory with a final heat win over second race winner, Mozambican Teresa Bettencourt and Sebastien Shuttleworth. First heat winner Zwothe Magoda’s day went the other way as he ended fourth from Che Makhubele and Yinhla Makhubele on another impressive 16-kart grid.

“If Saturday’s action is anything to go by, the Rotax Max National Finals will be an epic show that should not be missed,” Rotax SA karting boss Ed Murray concluded. “Now the best in the country not just will fight for national glory on 29 and 30 August, but also for a spot on the South African team for the Bahrain Grand Finals. Bring it on!”