Welcome back for another edition of the WPMC Karting Pre-Race Report.
Can you believe we are entering Round 7 of the 2022 WPMC Karting Regional Championship? Felt like just the other day that the Championship kicked off but here we are.
The penultimate round is going to be one that is hotly anticipated as things start to get serious. It’s been a year that has been hard fought and drivers will be keeping their eyes on the prize, with Championship glory and WP colours on the line.
From the club, we just want to thank all the members for their continued support and we hope you’ve enjoyed another great year of karting. Let’s round it off on a high and have fun going into these last 2 rounds.
Be safe and race hard!
Bambino (5th – 9th birthday)
The C52 drivers have really stepped it up a level in recent times. The competition in this class is seriously tough and it’s been one of the best classes to watch for close racing.
Liam Wharton (Topkart) and Zac Boshoff (Topkart) are neck and neck at the moment, both drivers could still take the crown. With the most consistent results and always being at the sharp end, this duo will put on a terrific show on Saturday.
Not far behind and ready to close off his first full season of racing is RDSA’s Michael O’Mahoney (RDSA Topkart). He has gone from strength to strength and sits nicely in P3 at the moment.
Jayden van der Merwe (Black Widow Topkart) and Carter Cedras (Topkart) are next up but don’t discount them to still push for a top 3 finish in the championship. Especially van der Merwe who has been rapid of late and could very likely bag a couple of wins in the next round.
Caleb Lingeveldt (RDSA Topkart) has also been working hard in practice and is showing lots of improvement. It would be great to see him close the gap to the front runners and get into the mix as well.
Slater Smith (Topkart) is also back for some more action as he looks to put his 3rd race weekend under his belt. He is joined by 3 new drivers Milla Botha (Topkart), Miko Botha (Topkart) and Kyle Bezuidenhout (Topkart). A very warm welcome to you all and we hope you enjoy your first-ever racing experience!
Representing the C50s are Micah Corneilse (Topkart) and new driver Tshepiso Modimosana (RDSA Topkart). Welcome to WP karting young Modimosana, we hope you have a debut you’ll never forget!
Kid ROK (6th – 10th birthday)
A class that is slowly growing, now with 6 drivers lined up for action.
Max Boshoff (Exprit) and younger brother Zac Boshoff (Exprit) have been going head to head in this class and have been entertaining, to say the least.
Joining the brothers is Logan Roehrig (Exprit), the definition of dynamite comes in small packages. Roehrig will be gunning for his first overall win on the day.
Dylan Bezuidenhout (Riccardo) and Max Denisov (OTK) join the field as rookies alongside Aadiv Singh (Exprit). Might get very close near the backend of the field with battles happening all over.
Micro MAX (7th – 12th birthday)
Micro Max should be an exciting class with 7 drivers ready to do battle.
The top 3 have been inseparable in the last few rounds and it has gotten heated, to say the least. Aiden Beaumont (Strive Racing/RDSA CRG) still leads out narrowly and will need a decent result over his rivals to cement his chances of the title.
Michael Danks (CRG) and Matthew Roach (CRG) have been slowly digging away at Beaumont’s lead and they look set to pounce if any mistakes are made. Expect fireworks and a lot more on race day!
The number of Bambino drivers moving up to the next class is growing ever stronger. Michael O’Mahoney (RS Kart) joins this list and will be racing Micro Max for the first time, all the best! Liam Wharton (CRG) and Zach McAuley (Zanardi) are the other 2 drivers on that list who are becoming more experienced by the day. The future of Micro Max is looking bright.
Upcountry driver Ryan Falconer (Sodi Kart) is keen to test his mettle against the Cape Town crowd and will be up for any challenge thrown his way. Welcome back, young man.
Nicolas Lennox (Zanardi) will also be back for some more racing action and he will be glad to see the van der Merwe brothers back in action, Aston and Arron (CRG). These 3 had a good old scrap at the last round so may it continue!
Mini ROK (8th – 13th birthday)
Things are hotting up once again in the Mini Rok class.
Favourite William Marshall (OTK) has had it mostly his own way in 2022. Tough to beat on his day and looks stronger with each race day he competes in.
Hoping to put up a challenge is James Nash (LN Kart). Nash is also an incredibly fast driver capable of winning but consistently finishing on the podium has been his biggest struggle. If he can perfect his racecraft he is a solid match for Marshall.
Sebastiano Human (OTK) has had a mixed bag of results in 2022. Another driver who knows how to win but has struggled to make it happen with the fierce competition he faces. He will no doubt keep on pushing with a podium and even a win still on the cards.
Max Boshoff (Exprit) will continue his charge and with the top guns all back he will be hoping to be in the mix for victory. Watch out for a 4-way fight for the lead!
Troy Ribeiro (OTK) will be leading the midpack in charge to catch up to the front runners. Close in tail will be the duo of Sebastien Blignaut (BirelArt) and Cecil Koorts (OTK). Aashay Nagura (Exprit) rounds off the grid to make it 8 drivers in total.
Mini MAX (9th – 14th birthday)
It’s been fantastic to watch this group of 6 boys battle it out all year long. They always put on a show with some of the closest racing you will ever witness.
Leading them out is Keagan Beaumont (Strive Racing/RDSA CRG) who has not only featured regionally but was also the best hope for WP Karting on the National level. He led the National Mini Max Championship all the way until the last round at Zwartkops. Unfortunately, some mishaps happened and he only managed P5 in the Championship. From the WPMC side, we just want to commend you on flying our flag high and for making the club proud!
Jordon Wadeley (EMR Kartaport CRG) has kept Beaumont honest regionally and the pair sit with the best chance to take the championship. Friends off track but fierce rivals on the track, you will love to see this battle go down. It is also Wadelely’s last season in Mini Max and he will be making the step up to Junior Max next season.
Sabelo Ntuli (CRG) and Matthew Chiwara (Sodi Kart) lock down P3 and P4 at the moment and will be hoping for some great results heading into Round 7. If they can outscore their rivals it should bump them up a bit making it a tight affair for Round 8.
Dale Hobbs (BirelArt) and Liam Koekemoer (Nashua Cape Town LN Kart) have endured a tough season, but they haven’t let that stop them. Continuing to show some determination and grit, it’s only a matter of time until they join the front 4 pack.
Happy racing boys!
Junior MAX (12th – 16th birthday)
Runaway driver Reece Koorzen (RKT/Boss Parolin) can wrap the Junior Max title up this weekend. His point lead is monstrous and he still is on a very hot winning streak!
Ethan Deacon (Stier Racing OTK) has enjoyed a very rapid climb in the Junior Max class. As a class rookie, he has been fantastic and looks to be the biggest threat for Koorzen ahead.
Ashton Repsold (CRG) is another driver capable of a win or 2. He is known to always push with everything he’s got so let’s see what happens on Saturday.
Joshua Smit (LN Kart) is desperate to turn his luck around with a season that has been far from his best. Improvement will come and things will turn around, he must just be ready for when he’s got the opportunity to win again. Survival is key. Jude Stuart (CRG) is another driver looking to turn things around. He has shown some amazing pace and potential in his first junior max year, so let’s see if he can put it all together for a good points haul.
Jordon Wadelely (EMR Kartaport CRG) and Oliver Roach (CRG) round off this young testosterone-filled grid.
Let the action commence!
Senior MAX (14th birthday +)
GTC driver Andrew Rackstraw (RDSA CRG) will be returning with a wealth of experience to come race where it all began for him all those years ago. Now just about to turn 21 he finds himself as the 2nd oldest driver on the grid with still lots to prove. Not such a youngster anymore Mr Rackstraw!
The youth are coming in hot with a deadly duo of Matthew Wadeley (EMR Kartsport CRG) and Ethan Stier (Stier Racing OTK). Rapid and eager to show what they are made of. It’s going to be great to see them take on Rackstraw as the battle for the lead.
Another driver who will be gunning for a podium is up-country driver Yifan Li (OTK). He had a great year nationally and is really coming into his own. Still, lots to come from this young man!
Zac Laden (Kosmic) is also showing some great pace and as the newest driver on the grid, he is blowing all expectations out the water. He will have his hands full to hold off Jaden Jacobs (OTK) and who is now the oldest driver to the grid Gio Hartman (CRG).
Happy Birthday to Gio Hartman! Have a great race day.
DD2 (15th birthday +) and DD2 Masters (32nd birthday +)
Sebastian Boyd (BirelArt) and Joseph Oelx (LN Kart) deserve high praise! They made WPMC proud with their 1-2 finish in the Rotax National DD2 Championship. Great to see our boys right up there and racking up titles.
They are also in a head-to-head battle for the regional crown and we can’t wait to see them take to the track once again.
Jason Coetzee (Exprit) is back and back for good as he relishes his chances of taking on 2 of the best in South Africa.
Kyle Visser (Kosmic) has really proved himself behind the wheel in the DD2 class this year. Punching well above his weight in terms of experience he has been a great addition and we hope he continues racing. If given the chance he will no doubt continue the Visser family way of racing, and that is winning!
Michael Jordan (Jordan Racing BirelArt) will be looking forward to more on-track battles with Sheldon Diedericks (BirelArt) and Gil Simoes (CRG).
MASTERS
Conor Hughes (Kosmic) is set to continue his championship success and has remained on top for the 2022 season. He just needs to finish these next 2 rounds to claim the title.
Contenders Jared Jordan (Jordan Racing CRG) and Marco Viegas (CRG) have shown too little too late for the title but they will still be fishing for top honours on race day.
Andrew Thomas (RaceBook CRG) has also had a rollercoaster season and will need to dig deep in order to compete for wins, where he belongs.
A real mid-pack fight is breaking out between Johan Hamman (BirelArt), Neil Lambrechts (Zanardi), Neville Chapman (BirelArt) and Brendan Lennox (CRG). It’s going to be thoroughly entertaining in these 2-speed beasts.
Good luck gents!
WP Clubmans (14th birthday +)
Clubmans continue to hold strong with 8 drivers ready to pounce.
The friendly and always inviting Clubman’s community has been the reason for the recent increase in numbers. It offers an affordable way of going racing while focusing on having fun and helping each other out. It sets the example of what karting should be all about and we are so happy to have such a strong Clubmans class in WPMC.
Luca Wehrli (OTK) is a driver with mounds of ability and skill who has shown he is built for something a little more competitive than Clubmans. Hopefully next year he makes the jump to either Senior Max or DD2 racing.
Sean Le Riche (Seleka Racing Kosmic) will be out on his own as his sons have other off-track duties to attend to. He nonetheless will make the most of it and push for a podium if not a win.
Behind him, there will be an epic fight to claim the last spot on the podium. It’s anyone’s game and it will be a great fight to watch between Nathan Selley (CRG), Jade Smith (PCR), Ethan Rutter (Arrow), Christopher Flack (Arrow) and PJ Garbutt (CRG).
Let the fight begin!
Conclusion
2022 has been a real treat. The first proper year of racing post the Covid 19 era. Seeing the grids full of life, the stands full of spectators and smiles all around is what we live for.
Let’s go into Round 7 thankful that we can all go racing and let’s enjoy as we head into the twilight of yet another season of fantastic kart racing!
Thank you to all the members and people involved. Have a good one and be safe.
Issued on behalf of Western Province Motor Club (WPMC)
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