National Leader Alonzo Eyes African Open Triumph

National Bambino championship leader Alonzo de Oliveira returns to action this weekend as he lines up at the prestigious Rotax African Open hosted at Zwartkops Kart Raceway. With the event’s unique winner-takes-all format, anticipation is high as South Africa’s youngest karting talent prepares for a high-stakes showdown.

Unlike a standard national round, the African Open features two qualifying heats that determine grid positions for the all-important final race, where the victor alone claims the crown. For most Rotax classes, this event serves as a qualifier for the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals in Bahrain. However, in the Bambino class, where drivers compete with Comer engines, the reward is an air ticket to spectate the Grand Finals and experience international competition firsthand.

Motorsport Fanatix™ brand ambassador Alonzo arrives at Zwartkops in peak form, topping the national standings thanks to consistent podiums and dominant performances across both regional and national events this year. A clean sweep of victories at the Vereeniging and iDube national rounds solidified his status as a championship frontrunner. It reinforced his growing reputation as one of the sport’s brightest young stars.

Six practice sessions on Thursday and four more on Friday will help drivers fine-tune their setups ahead of the late-afternoon qualifying session. Saturday marks the decisive day, with two qualifying heats setting the stage for the final, where only one driver will emerge victorious.

With past successes at Zwartkops and momentum on his side, Alonzo will be aiming to put on a show and add the African Open title to his expanding karting résumé.

Alonzo is backed by Y2K Germiston, MSLB Projects, Amigos Portugueses, Freddy Hirsch, S.Y. Wholesale Butchery, Hercules Foods, Hercules Sauces, and HPP