Summarize

Gauteng karters redressed the Rotax South African Max Challenge balance by winning the lion’s share of the classes at their home second round at the Benoni Formula K kart track on Sunday. Their Capetonian rivals utterly dominated the season opener at Killarney back in March, but the locals would have none of it back upcountry over the weekend.

One of the Capetonians to buck the trend, Rotax DD2 leader Charl Michael Visser had to work for his two race to one overall victory over consistent local Jamie Smith and upstart final heat winner Jonno Wilson. Ethan Stier enjoyed a positive run to fourth in the 25 kW direct drive two-speed Rotax class from Matthew Wadeley, Dusan Radojevic, Shrien Naidoo and newcomer Wian Mulder. 

Cape-based Durbanite Jonathan Pieterse meantime did the DD2 Masters double over Justin Rogers, Justin Allison, Jared Jordan, and Conor Hughes.

Local Jozi drivers however starred in the monster 28-kart 22 kW top chain drive Rotax Senior Max class as home hero Spice Mailula took both heat wins to take the day from flying lady karter Emma Dowling. Twice third, Tristan du Plessis stood on the third step of the podium as he edged Tshepang Shinishawa, another fast lass, Georgia Lenaerts, Caleb Moss, Kian Spies, Sebastiano Human, Jordon Wadeley and Troy Snyman.

There was more Gauteng home success in 17 kW high school Rotax Junior Max. Brodi Dowling took two of the day’s three heats to defeat Ronaldo Koen, heat 2 winner Ruvan Maritz, Logan Billau, and Declan Jurgens. Keenan du Plessis followed from Ashaan Reddi, Cristian Verheul, Matthew Shuttleworth and Rafael da Souza as another impressive 21 kart grid took the start.

11 kilowatt under-13 Rotax Mini Max delivered three winners in a dramatic international spat. Consistent final heat winner Luhan de Wet ultimately emerged the comfortable winner over Namibian Nande Kaiyamo and second heat winner Luke du Toit. Christan Naidoo ended fourth from Lwashu Mathebula, Kireev Chetty, Adriaan Steyn, Callum du Toit, Namibian Mandume Kaiyamo and Joe Buckham on another splendid 20-kart grid.

Radhi Harris was another Cape visitor to find success up in Gauteng as he sped to a dominant triple victory over top local Alonzo de Oliveira and Mozambican lass Teresa Bettencourt in 6 kilowatt under-11 Rotax Micro Max. Jordan Jurgens ended fourth for the day from Slater Smith, Rofhiwa Ndwambi, Nicholas Fleming, Aston Verheul, and Zwothe Magoda.

Young Jozi star Tiyani Malabie stormed to a triple victory on the day as he held  Melokuhle Ndlovu and Grayson Venter off to take baby Bambino honours. Zaid Panday ended fourth ahead of Tyler Stanyer, Yerhu Malabie, William Grant, Gerrard Martin, and  Zonkizizwe Holomisa.

“Benoni in general delivered a totally different outcome to the Killarney season opener to completely stir up the 2026 Rotax Max National Challenge championship chase,” Rotax South Africa CEO Ed Murray concludes. “Formula K also once again saw huge grids breaking records as Rotax Max karting continues to deliver a fair, even, and most competitive South African playing field as we further develop our motorsport future.

The South African Rotax Max Challenge races over four National rounds. Each champion and July’s wildcard African Open winners will represent South Africa at November’s ‘Olympics of Karting’ Rotax Max Grand Finals in Portugal. 

The National championship remains in Gauteng for the significant double header of both the third round Nationals and the all-important 2026 Rotax African Open over the weekend of 2-4 July. Learn more at www.kart.co.za