FAST, FLAT AND FIERCE – SARMC'S VKC SHOWDOWN
Vereeniging hosts Round 2 of the South African Rotax MAX Challenge this weekend, and it will be a crucial round for those vying to become national champions and earn entry to the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals.
Round 2 of the 2025 South African Rotax MAX Challenge (SARMC) Championship unfolds in Vereeniging this weekend. Nearly 100 determined competitors will vie for crucial championship points in their quest for national glory.
The 1 000 m Vereeniging Kart Circuit (VKC) is flat and technical, featuring a blend of tight corners, flowing sweeps, and short-to-medium straights, making precision and consistency essential. This event is crucial as the second of four rounds and the first of two to be held in Gauteng. Championship leaders want to extend their lead, while those who might not have had a strong first-round wish to make up lost ground.
But it's not just about silverware. National champions, except the Bambino class, will earn the honour of representing South Africa at the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals, often referred to as the "Olympics of Karting," an invitation-only global event where tickets cannot be bought, only earned. South Africa remains among the most successful nations at the RMCGF, with 14 Grand Final titles and a Nations Cup.
SA's strong tradition of developing karting stars has seen five-time RMCGF winner Cristiano Morgado reach legendary status. Caleb Williams and Wesleigh Orr (WORR) are two-time winners, with the Cronje brothers, Gavin and Mark, uncle and father to Noah, among the few to claim titles. Other notable winners are Claudio Piazza-Musso (Race Driver SA), Leeroy Poulter (Xtreme Racing Team) and young Jayden Els, who competes in off-road disciplines.
The Bambino title fight is heating up between Divaaj Govender (98 pts) and Alonzo de Oliveira (97 pts), with Sebastien Shuttleworth and Rofhiwa Ndwambi locked on 92 points. Mozambican driver Teresa Bettencourt (90 pts) is also in the hunt following an impressive start. VKC's tight layout is expected to amplify the intensity in this closely matched field of 13 competitors, where the starts are often the most challenging discipline to master for these young drivers.
The Bambinos will be back in action this weekend with Mozambican driver Teresa Bettencourt (#21) set to challenge the boys.
2024 Micro MAX rookie Luhan De Wet sits undefeated with a perfect score, building momentum after a clean sweep at Killarney. Michael O'Mahoney (96 pts) and Luke du Toit (92 pts) remain within striking distance, while Yaqeen Gamieldien (88 pts) has been fast and consistent. Gauteng driver Adriaan Steyn should also be one to watch, with Capetonians Radhi Harris and Logan Roehrig gunning for top-five finishes.
Luhan de Wet claimed all three heat victories in Micro MAX and heads to Vereeniging hoping to keep his momentum going.
Cape ace Max Boshoff tops the Mini MAX standings with 105 points after a commanding display on home soil. Gauteng's Ronaldo Koen (95 pts) and Brodi Dowling (89 pts) will look to claw back points at their "home" circuit, while local racers Rafael De Sousa (86 pts) and Declan Jurgens (85 pts) will be up against the only other heat winner in Cape Town, Liam Wharton (82 pts). This class is arguably one of the most competitive classes in the championship and is expected to deliver some fierce contests this weekend with 21 entries.
Max Boshoff set the pace in Cape Town ahead of a talented field of Mini MAX drivers.
Seventeen Junior MAX drivers will make up one of the most talent-packed fields, where Emma-Rose Dowling leads out several former national champions with 97 points following her Round 1 victory. Sebastiano Human (93 pts) and Jack Moore (91 pts) are both within reach, with Caleb Moss (90 pts) and Nicolas Lennox (87 pts) also in the hunt. After a tough opener, all eyes will be on Reagile Mailula (83 pts) and Caleb Odendaal (75 pts), who are expected to be competitive and in the hunt at a circuit they know well.
Former national and regional champions make up a very competitive Junior MAX class with any one of 10 drivers able to win this weekend.
In the Senior MAX class, Charl Visser (102 pts) holds an advantage over fellow Capetonians William Marshall (90 pts) and Jordan Wadeley (88 pts) after Visser claimed two of the three wins at Killarney. Roshaan Goodman (81 pts), the first of two Gauteng drivers in the top seven, is placed fourth with three drivers, Jude Stuart (76 pts), Joshua Smit (76 pts) and Rudi Schussler (71 pts), separated by a single point. With 18 battle-hardened drivers expected to take to the grid this weekend, expect a reshuffle in the points standing as the championship reaches the halfway mark. Georgia Lenaerts, Tayla Scrimgeour and Gianna Pascoal will be in action again as they continue their quest to bring more attention to female competitors in the sport.
Senior MAX has emerged as one of South Africa’s most fiercely contested classes, where every inch counts and no quarter is given.
The gearbox-driven DD2 class has been dominated by Western Cape drivers, with Jason Coetzee (105 pts) and Sebastian Boyd (102 pts) set to continue their duel this weekend. Two more Cape drivers, Anwill April (92 pts) and Matthew Wadeley (88 pts), make up the next two positions before Gauteng driver and most decorated DD2 driver, Bradley Liebenberg (87 pts), takes up fifth in the standings to make up half the weekend's field.
The DD2 championship remains wide open with a star-studded grid expected to compete for the spoils in Vereeniging once again.
With the top seven separated by only 10 points, the DD2 Masters championship remains wide open. Jonathan Pieterse, one of three heat winners in Cape Town, is tied at the top of the points standings (91 pts) with Jared Jordan, two points ahead of Neville Chapman. RMCGF legend Cristiano Morgado and Connor Hughes are even on 85 points ahead of Mozambican competitor and 2024 RMCGF finalist, Cristian Bouche (82 pts).
Mozambican talent Cristian Bouche returns, bringing an exciting touch of international flair to the DD2 Masters field.
The action kicks off on Thursday with an unofficial practice day before Friday's official practice and afternoon qualifying. Racing begins on Saturday, with three heats determining the overall round winner.
Catch all the live-streaming action from Round 2 on the link below:
