Cornofsky Crowned 2026 Mini ROK Champion
Kayde Cornofsky has been crowned the 2026 National Mini ROK Champion after a superb championship-deciding weekend at the Killarney Kart Circuit in Cape Town. The Xtreme Racing Team driver delivered across two demanding national rounds to secure his second national ROK title, adding to the National Kid ROK Championship he won in 2023.
Cornofsky arrived at Killarney with the championship lead and immediately showed the speed needed to finish the job. Friday's seventh national round began with third in qualifying before Kayde converted his strong starting position into victory in the opening heat. After taking the lead on the second lap, he remained at the front to the chequered flag and also recorded the fastest racing lap of the round.
The second heat produced one of the day's closest contests. Cornofsky was firmly involved in the lead battle and eventually crossed the line fourth, with the first five finishers covered by less than a second. He responded in the final heat with an impressive charge from sixth on the grid to second, missing victory by just 0.069 seconds while again setting the fastest lap. His results of first, fourth and second earned him enough points to top Round 7.
Saturday brought an entirely different challenge as rain soaked the Killarney circuit. Cornofsky qualified eighth in the difficult conditions, leaving him with plenty of work to do. A measured drive through the field produced fourth in the opening heat before he progressed to third in Heat 2, keeping his championship campaign firmly on course.
With the track drying for the final heat of the national season, Cornofsky delivered when it mattered most. Starting fifth, the Xtreme Racing Team youngster fought his way into the battle for victory, taking the lead during the heat before reclaiming it on the final lap. He crossed the line just 0.018 seconds ahead of his closest rival to seal the championship with a memorable victory.
That win secured another overall round victory for Cornofsky, with his fourth, third and first-place finishes giving him the final round victory and the overall weekend victor. As the overall weekend winner, Cornofsky also earned his second R25 000 cash prize, adding another reward to an already memorable championship finale.
The championship success also earns Cornofsky an entry to the 2026 ROK Superfinal in Italy from 13–17 October, giving the newly crowned South African champion the opportunity to test himself against leading Mini ROK competitors from around the world.
For Cornofsky, the Mini ROK title marks another major milestone in a karting career that already includes a National Kid ROK crown. After finishing as National Mini ROK Vice Champion in his rookie season, he returned stronger and more complete in 2026, turning that experience into the consistency, racecraft and resilience required to come out on top in one of the most closely contested championships of the season.
Kayde extends his appreciation to the entire Xtreme Racing Team, as well as Allegiance Properties, Canario Cornofsky Attorneys, Calisto’s Portuguese Restaurant, Smith Garage, the 357, Glads, AMW and Uncle Ray from Motorsport Fanatix™ for their continued support throughout his championship-winning season.
With the South African title secured, attention now turns to Italy and the ROK Superfinal, where Cornofsky will carry national-champion status onto the international stage.
