NOAH CRONJE SECURES BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP PODIUM
South African karter Noah Cronje has completed an impressive 2026 British Champions of the Future Academy Program campaign by securing third place in the MINI 60 championship following this past weekend's season finale at Whilton Mill in the United Kingdom.
The final round, held from 21–23 August, brought the curtain down on a campaign that saw Cronje develop into a regular contender at the front of the highly competitive British field.
Cronje's championship had begun with a challenging opening round before gaining momentum as the season progressed. By Round 2 at PF International, he had established himself among the leading MINI 60 competitors, finishing third in the opening day's final.
His standout weekend came at the penultimate round at Larkhall in Scotland.
Having arrived at a circuit where his pre-event experience had largely been in wet conditions, Cronje adapted quickly when the racing took place in the dry. His patience and racecraft were rewarded in Sunday's final. After crossing the line second, Cronje was promoted to victory following a post-race penalty for the driver ahead, securing his first final victory of the season.
That Larkhall performance proved particularly important to his championship campaign and strengthened his position heading into the Whilton Mill finale.
The final weekend produced mixed fortunes, but Cronje continued to deliver the results needed to consolidate his championship position and secure a place on the MINI 60 podium.
While the championship battle at the front remained highly competitive, Cronje's third-place finish represents a significant international result for the South African. Across the season, he progressed from a difficult opening round to becoming a race winner and ultimately a championship podium finisher against an international field.
With an international race victory and third place in the British Champions of the Future Academy Program championship now secured, Cronje returns home having added another important achievement to his developing karting career.
