Cornofsky Extends Mini ROK Championship Advantage with GT Raceway Double

Kayde Cornofsky strengthened his grip on the 2026 National ROK Cup Karting Championship this past weekend after delivering a commanding performance across Rounds 3 and 4 at GT Raceway in Vereeniging.

Arriving at the newly renamed circuit with only a narrow advantage in the fiercely contested Mini ROK standings, the Xtreme Racing Team driver knew the weekend would prove critical in his title ambitions. GT Raceway has not always delivered the best fortunes for the former National Kid ROK champion, but Kayde turned that narrative around in emphatic fashion with two overall victories from two days of intense wheel-to-wheel racing.

Saturday’s Round 3 immediately showcased Kayde’s determination. After securing pole position in qualifying, the Johannesburg youngster converted it into victory in Heat 1 despite dropping as low as fourth during the race. Refusing to panic, Kayde fought his way back through the field with calculated overtakes to reclaim the lead and take an important opening win.

Heat 2 delivered more drama. Although Kayde crossed the line third on the circuit after another fierce battle at the front, penalties for the two drivers ahead promoted him to victory, handing him back-to-back wins for the day. The momentum continued into the final heat, where the Mini ROK front-runners again traded positions throughout a thrilling encounter. Kayde remained firmly in the fight for victory before ultimately finishing third, more than enough to secure the overall Round 3 triumph and extend his championship lead.

Sunday’s Round 4 proved equally demanding. Qualifying sixth placed Kayde on the third row of the grid, leaving him with work to do from the outset. Once the lights went out, however, the Xtreme Racing Team driver wasted little time carving his way through the pack. In a spectacular charge to the front, Kayde grabbed the lead on the penultimate lap before narrowly losing out on the final lap to finish a close second.

Starting Heat 2 from pole position, Kayde again found himself under pressure after slipping back to third during the race. Showing the composure and racecraft that have defined his 2026 campaign, he mounted another late-race comeback to reclaim the lead with only two laps remaining and secure a hard-fought victory.

The final heat capped off a near-perfect weekend. Kayde controlled the race at the front to record his third win of the weekend and secure a second consecutive overall victory at GT Raceway, significantly increasing the gap over his closest championship rivals.

Reflecting on the weekend, Kayde said, “This was probably one of my toughest but most rewarding weekends of the season so far. We knew that coming to GT Raceway, every point would matter, and the racing would be incredibly competitive. The team gave me an amazing kart all weekend, and I’m really proud that we managed to come away with both overall wins. It’s great to extend the championship lead, but we are only halfway, and there’s still a long season ahead and we’ll keep pushing.”

Kayde continues to receive invaluable support from Allegiance Properties, Canario Cornofsky Attorneys, Calisto’s Portuguese Restaurant, Smith Garage, the 357, Glads, and AMW, together with the dedicated Xtreme Racing Team, which has played a pivotal role in his championship campaign.

Kayde will return to action on 10-12 July for rounds 5 and 6 of the national competition.