The 2026 MSA Northern Regions ROK Karting Championship heads to Formula-K Raceway in Benoni on Saturday, 24 October, for its sixth and final round, where the remaining championship titles will be decided.
After five rounds of racing at Red Star Raceway and Formula-K, the regional championship reaches its conclusion with several closely contested classes. With additional points available at the finale, even those drivers enjoying a comfortable advantage cannot afford to take anything for granted.
Under the championship regulations, the final round carries 1.5 times the normal points allocation. A heat victory will therefore be worth 52.5 points instead of the usual 35, significantly increasing the stakes for drivers still chasing championship honours.
Formula-K Provides a Fitting Finale
Situated in Benoni, east of Johannesburg, Formula-K Raceway has become an important venue on the South African karting calendar, regularly hosting regional and national competition.
The purpose-built facility offers multiple circuit configurations, combining fast, flowing sections with technical corners and demanding braking zones. Finding the right balance between straight-line performance, cornering grip and traction will be particularly important as competitors search for an advantage over their rivals.
The circuit also rewards precision and consistency. With close racing expected across the classes, qualifying positions, clean starts and the ability to manage pressure could prove decisive.
Having already hosted two rounds of the regional championship in July, Formula-K will be familiar territory for many of the contenders. However, previous experience will count for little if drivers cannot deliver when the championship is on the line.
Mini ROK – Cornofsky and Mason Separated by Three Points
The Mini ROK championship promises one of the closest title battles of the weekend, with defending regional champion Kayde Cornofsky holding a slender three-point advantage over Maddox Mason.
Cornofsky leads the published standings with 397 points, followed by Mason on 394, while Riley van Staden remains firmly in contention on 372.
Cornofsky has once again demonstrated the consistency and racecraft that helped him claim the 2025 regional championship. Having also secured the 2026 National Mini ROK title, the Xtreme Racing Team driver will be determined to complete another successful campaign.
However, Mason has matched the championship leader throughout much of the season and enters the finale with every opportunity to overturn the deficit. With just three points separating the pair, the battle could swing either way during Saturday's three heats.
Van Staden cannot be discounted either. His 372-point tally keeps him within striking distance, particularly with the increased points allocation available in the final round.
Zac Boshoff, Diego Berardone, Parker van der Molen, and Ronald Venter (Mini U10), who all return from their ROK Superfinal duties, are among the other competitors capable of influencing the outcome, with their performances potentially affecting the points available to the championship leaders.
OK-J – Mason Seeks to Complete Perfect Regional Campaign
Mattao Mason arrives at Formula-K as the clear benchmark in OK-J, having established a commanding lead in the regional championship.
The 2026 National OK-J Champion tops the published standings with 420 points, having claimed maximum points in all 15 heats contested across the opening five rounds.
Behind him, Retlotleng Thekiso and Max Boshoff are tied on 363 points, with Aleksandar Praizovic close behind on 358.
While Mason has enjoyed an exceptional regional campaign, the battle among his closest challengers remains highly competitive.
Thekiso and Boshoff have both shown they can challenge near the front, while Praizovic has regularly shown strong qualifying speed and remains capable of upsetting the established order.
With the additional points on offer, the fight for the remaining championship positions could be particularly intense. Mason, meanwhile, will be looking to maintain his impressive record and finish the regional season without surrendering a heat victory.
OK-N – Moore Holds Advantage Over Haskins
Jack Moore heads into the final round with the advantage in OK-N, leading the championship on 414 points.
Chase Haskins occupies second with 377, while Aidan Calitz remains third on 356.
Moore has built his advantage through strong race performances and consistent points finishes. His challenge will be to maintain that form at Formula-K and protect his championship lead against rivals who have already shown they can compete with him.
Haskins, who claimed overall honours at the opening round at Red Star Raceway, remains Moore's closest challenger. Despite falling behind in the standings, he has shown the pace and determination required to challenge for victories.
Calitz has also enjoyed a competitive campaign, keeping himself in contention through a series of solid performances. The final round offers a chance to push for a stronger championship finish.
With three heats carrying extra points, the title battle remains a key feature of the weekend.
Tillotson Cadet – Grimmick Leads the Youngsters
Christopher Grimmick holds the advantage in the Tillotson Cadet championship, having accumulated 379 points across the first five rounds.
Yerhu Malabie follows on 312 points, with Grayson Venter third on 287.
Grimmick has built his lead through consistent results, particularly during the most recent rounds at Formula-K, where he collected maximum points.
Malabie and Venter both demonstrated strong early-season form and remain the nearest challengers in the published championship classification.
The Cadet category continues to provide an important introduction to competitive karting, with young drivers learning racecraft, discipline and consistency while competing for regional honours.
Saturday's finale will offer another chance for the youngsters to show their progress over the season.
Final Championship Decisions Await
Beyond the individual title contests, Saturday's meeting represents the culmination of another demanding Northern Regions ROK season.
The championship's pool-engine system continues to place considerable emphasis on driver ability, kart preparation and racecraft, creating an environment in which small margins can make a significant difference.
The championship regulations count the best 15 results from 18 heats toward the final standings, with additional points at the final round making every position even more valuable.
For some competitors, Formula-K offers an opportunity to defend a hard-earned championship lead. For others, it provides one final chance to turn a season of determination into a regional title.
With championship honours at stake and some of the closest battles of the year still unresolved, the Northern Regions ROK Karting Championship is set for an exciting conclusion in Benoni.
For more information, visit www.rokthenats.co.za.
