Cornofsky Dominates Red Star to Secure Opening Mini ROK Victory
Kayde Cornofsky opened his 2026 MSA Northern Regions ROK Karting Championship campaign in commanding fashion at Red Star Raceway, taking overall victory in the Mini ROK class after a day of high-intensity racing and relentless pace.
The Xtreme Racing Team driver was immediately in the mix from qualifying, securing third on the grid. While marginally shy of the pole, Kayde’s consistency over seven laps underlined the team’s race-ready setup heading into the heats.
Heat 1 saw Kayde waste no time asserting himself. After starting third, he seized control of the race on Lap 3 and never looked back, leading through to the chequered flag. His 59.588 best lap and decisive drive delivered maximum points and an early statement of intent. The pace was measured, controlled and mature, hallmarks of a driver intent on not only the regional crown but also another national title.
In Heat 2, Kayde once again showcased his race craft. He moved into the lead on Lap 2 and controlled the remainder of the 10-lap contest, setting the fastest lap of the race. With two wins from two starts, the momentum firmly belonged to the former National Kid ROK Champion.
The final heat proved to be the most dramatic of the day. Cornofsky led the opening five laps before an intense late-race battle unfolded. Despite crossing the line just 0.141 seconds shy of victory, he secured second place. It was a razor-thin margin in one of the closest finishes of the weekend, highlighting the fierce competitiveness within the Mini ROK field.
When the points were tallied, Cornofsky emerged as the overall winner of Round 1, the perfect start to his regional title defence campaign.
Reflecting on the weekend, Kayde said:
“It feels great to start the season like this. The team gave me an incredible kart, and we worked hard on every detail. The racing was close, especially in the final heat, but we stayed focused and kept scoring points. This is just the beginning. We’re aiming for consistency all season. But without the support of my team and sponsors, this wouldn’t be possible, so a huge thank you to them.”
The result reaffirms Kayde’s credentials as a former national champion and one of the leading lights in South African karting. More importantly, it demonstrates the strength of his partnership with Leeroy Poulter and the Xtreme Racing Team stable.
Kayde extends his sincere thanks to his valued sponsors: Allegiance Properties, Canario Cornofsky Attorneys, Calisto’s Portuguese Restaurant, Smith Garage, the 357, Glads Logistics and AMW, whose continued support makes his racing ambitions possible. Their belief in his journey remains instrumental in his pursuit of championship success.
With Round 1 complete, Kayde leaves Red Star Raceway at the top of the standings and firmly in control of the narrative. Kayde will now focus all his attention on the upcoming national event at the same venue on 20-22 March 2026.
You can follow Kayde’s progress on his social media platforms:
