With just two weeks to go until the start of the inaugural African Karting Cup (AKC) which will be taking place in South Africa at Zwartkops Kart Circuit in Centurion between 15 – 17 February, excitement is building.
40 of the finest participants from over 15 African countries including Angola, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania, South Africa and Zimbabwe will compete in this exciting event.
Adrian Scholtz, the Chief Executive Officer of Motorsport South Africa (MSA) says that, due to potential safety concerns around the originally-scheduled venue for the event, MSA has taken a decision to err on the side of caution and the event has consequently been switched to Zwartkops Kart Circuit. We regret any inconvenience caused by the venue change but regrettably this situation was out of our hands and the safety of competitors is always our first priority.”
Rok Cup South Africa, Cindy Van Der Laan, echoes Scholtz’s sentiment saying, “Excitement is really building amongst our OK-N and OK-J competitors who are all looking forward to competing in the arrive and drive format on one of the country’s busiest and most modern tracks in the country.
Karting is growing in popularity all over the world. Van Der Laan says the benefits of karting extend beyond the track. “The skills and attributes developed through karting have proven to assist a child in school as well.” She says the focus and concentration required on the track can translate to better attention and performance in the classroom and the physical fitness gained from competing, can lead to improved energy and endurance making it easier for kids to stay active and engaged throughout the school day. “It is also a great confidence booster, teaching kids to believe in their abilities and strive for success,” she says.
Van der Laan says for any parents and kids interested in the sport they should definitely come along and see what it is all about. Our mini Rok class is for kids between the ages of 8 – 13. It is a great option for young drivers looking to progress in their karting careers. OK-J caters for 11 – 14-year-olds. The National OK-J class is run on pool engines to ensure an even playing field and that driving talent is nurtured. Finally, the OK-N class which stands for Original Karting National is the step up from the OK-J class catering for kids age 14+. Excitingly the driver that wins in South Africa in 2024 will represent the country in the FIA world cup and will be able to showcase their skills in the FIA Karting World Championship under the watchful eye of influential motorsport observers.
“And that’s where champions are made,” says Scholtz. Karting is without doubt the foundation of motorsport and the starting point for any talented youngsters to first learn their craft and hone their skills in the playground of motorsport. The majority of drivers who reach the pinnacle of motorsport began their careers in karting.
“Remember entry is free for spectators and also to note the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) will be at the event on the 17 February from 09:00 doing the ‘Spray, Shave, Donate” campaign supporting cancer care and support programmes for those affected by cancer,” Van der Laan concludes.
