Mattao Mason Dominates While Mini ROK Delivers Weekend Fireworks
The National ROK Cup South Africa Karting Championship made a highly successful return to GT Raceway in Vereeniging for the first national event at the circuit in two years, with rounds three and four, known as the Autumn NATS, delivering a full weekend of action-packed racing.
The 1 100 metre GT Raceway, previously known as the Vereeniging Kart Circuit, produced close, hard-fought competition across all classes. At the same time, the ROK Cup pool-engine system once again underlined the championship’s emphasis on equal racing and driver performance.
MINI ROK
Saturday’s Round 3 opened the weekend, with Mini ROK immediately setting the tone. Kayde Cornofsky was fastest in qualifying and then won the opening two heats, while Riley van Staden struck back in Heat 3 after a superb battle with Maddox Mason and Cornofsky, the top three covered by less than two-tenths at the flag.
Mini ROK again stood out as the star performer, with Cornofsky, Van Staden, Mason, Zac Boshoff and Ronald Venter, the only Mini U10 competitor, all showing the pace to fight at the front.
On Sunday, Mini ROK continued to deliver some fierce racing. Maddox Mason won the opening heat by just 0.040 seconds from Cornofsky, before Cornofsky responded with victories in heats two and three. The final heat again showcased the class depth and talent, with Boshoff, Van Staden, Mason, Venter and Diego Berardone all in the lead fight. But it was Cornofsky who took the overall spoils and entered the mid-season break, extending his lead in the championship.
Round 3 Result:
1. Kayde Cornofsky – 100 points
2. Maddox Mason – 94 points
3. Riley van Staden – 92 points
4. Ronald Venter – 88 points
5. Omolemo Mfana – 81 points
Round 4 Result:
1. Kayde Cornofsky – 102 points
2. Riley van Staden – 92 points
3. Maddox Mason – 91 points
4. Zac Boshoff – 89 points
5. Diego Berardone – 85 points
OK-J
In OK-J, Mattao Mason continued his perfect season. He qualified on pole and won all three Saturday heats, extending his unbeaten run with victories ahead of Declan Jurgens and Logan Billau, who finished as runner-up and third in all three heats.
On Sunday, Mason remained unstoppable. Despite Max Boshoff taking Sunday's pole, Mason again won all three heats, taking his season tally to twelve straight wins from twelve starts. The battle for the overall podium, though, saw Boshoff place second ahead of Billau. At the same time Mason walked away with R25 000 towards a test drive in a Ginetta Junior race car.
Round 3 Result:
1. Mattao Mason – 105 points
2. Declan Jurgens – 96 points
3. Logan Billau – 90 points
4. Kiyaan Reddi – 83 points
5. Retlotleng Thekiso – 79 points
Round 4 Result:
1. Mattao Mason – 105 points
2. Max Boshoff – 91 points
3. Logan Billau – 87 points
4. Declan Jurgens – 87 points
5. Retlotleng Thekiso – 85 points
OK-N
OK-N produced mixed fortunes, with a returning Troy Snyman winning the opening heat, Aidan Calitz taking Heat 2, and Jack Moore closing Round 3 with victory in Heat 3.
Sunday carried the momentum forward, with Moore winning Heat 1, before class rookie Jason Coetzee took control of the final two heats to end the day strongly and claim the overall victory.
Round 3 Result:
1. Jack Moore – 97 points
2. Troy Snyman - 97 points
3. Aidan Calitz – 92 points
4. Chase Haskins – 90 points
5. Jason Coetzee – 85 points
Round 4 Result:
1. Jason Coetzee - 94 points
2. Aidan Calitz – 94 points
3. Jack Moore – 91 points
4. Chase Haskins – 91 points
5. Ashaan Reddi – 88 points
Cadet ace Grayson Venter had a lonely day out on circuit, but despite running alone, he kept his spirits up, his head down and gained some valuable seat time.
With close racing, multiple lead changes and strong performances across the weekend, rounds three and four added real momentum to the 2026 National ROK Cup South Africa season. At the halfway mark, the championship returns on 10 -12 July 2026 at Formula-K Raceway, Benoni.
Fore more information about the series, please follow the link: www.rokthenats.co.za
