ROK Cup ‘Summer NATS’ Delivers: Tight Margins, Big Stakes, and No Room for Error at Red Star

The 2026 National ROK Cup Karting Championship kicked off at Red Star Raceway with an exhilarating double-header that set the stage for the season ahead. This event marked both Rounds 1 and 2 of the national championship and Rounds 2 and 3 of the Northern Regions series, pushing drivers to their limits during this intense weekend.

Rain came and went throughout the event, creating a rollercoaster of conditions that kept everyone on their toes. The ever-changing weather turned tyre selection into a strategic gamble, emphasising the importance of driver adaptability. As the surface shifted from wet to damp to dry, it was clear that execution and quick decision-making were just as crucial as speed, showing just how skilled these drivers need to be to thrive in such unpredictable conditions. With the ROK Cup’s equal motor system, it was all about driver skill, versatility, and tactical racing.

‍MINI ROK

‍The Mini ROK category brought some of the closest and most exciting racing of the weekend. With numerous entries, it was the only class eligible for the R25 000 winner’s prize, fueling the competition and excitement for both supporters and drivers.

‍‍Maddox Mason showcased impressive speed and was arguably the driver to beat, drawing from his international experience. However, a slight setback in one of the heats on Saturday, where consistency would play a crucial role, would see him miss out on the double. The first round ultimately went to Kayde Cornofsky, who put in a calm and calculated performance to take home the top spot. Riley van Staden and Noah Cronje were consistently in the mix, keeping the pressure mounting at the front. Mason and Diego Berardone rounded out a fiercely competitive top five.

‍‍Come Sunday’s Round 2, Mason responded dramatically, clinching victory in three heats to maximise his points. Cronje was a strong contender again, while Cornofsky managed to deliver another solid podium finish following his Round 1 win.

The overall prize hinged on the combined points from both rounds, leading to a nail-biting finish. In the end, Cornofsky clinched the R25 000 prize, narrowly topping Mason by just three points, demonstrating just how tight the competition had been.

‍‍Round 1 Result:

1. ‍1. Kayde Cornofsky – 105 points 

   2. Riley van Staden – 94 points 

   3. Noah Cronje – 91 points 

   4. Maddox Mason – 88 points 

   5. Diego Berardone – 83 points 

Round 2 Result:

1. Maddox Mason – 105 points 

2. Noah Cronje – 94 points 

3. Kayde Cornofsky – 91 points 

4. Zac Boshoff – 85 points 

5. Diego Antunes – 81 points 

OK-J

In the OK-J category, we witnessed top-notch junior racing with exhilaratingly close finishes across both rounds. Mattao Mason, older brother to Maddox, made a statement early in the weekend, showcasing impressive pace and consistency under tricky conditions. His Round 1 was flawless, as he turned his speed into maximum points while fending off challenges from Aleksandar Praizovic and Retlotleng Thekiso. The competition remained fierce, with Ruvan Maritz and Logan Billau ensuring the battles extended beyond the podium. ‍

Pressure ramped up in Round 2, but Max Boshoff stepped up his game with a strong performance among the front-runners. Despite the increased competition, Mason rose to the occasion yet again, sealing a second overall victory and completing a dominant double-header.

Round 1 Result:

1. Mattao Mason – 105 points 

2. Aleksandar Praizovic – 94 points 

3. Retlotleng Thekiso – 91 points 

4. Ruvan Maritz – 82 points 

5. Logan Billau – 80 points 

‍‍Round 2 Result:

1. Mattao Mason – 105 points 

2. Max Boshoff – 94 points 

3. Retlotleng Thekiso – 90 points 

4. Aleksandar Praizovic – 89 points 

5. Logan Billau – 83 points 

OK-N

The OK-N class offered some of the weekend's most compelling stories, mixing seasoned campaigners with rising stars in a fiercely competitive senior field. Reigning OK-J champion, Jack Moore, established himself as the driver to beat across both rounds, demonstrating remarkable consistency and race management in ever-changing conditions.

‍‍Chase Haskins also stood out, showcasing extraordinary talent despite having only eight months of karting experience. He held his own against more seasoned competitors, starting with pole position in Round 1 and achieving consistent podium finishes throughout the weekend. His ability to perform under pressure illustrated not just his speed but also his rapid growth as a driver.

‍ ‍In Round 1, Moore managed to edge out Haskins, while Ashaan Reddi, who stepped up from OK-J, and Aidan Calitz stayed firmly in contention, ensuring a tightly packed top five.

‍‍Round 2 saw Moore deliver once again, this time facing strong pressure from a fast-charging Emile van der Wateren, who finished second overall. Haskins continued to impress with another steady podium finish.

‍‍Across both rounds, OK-N showcased a class where experience meets emerging talent, with the margins at the front remaining incredibly tight.

Round 1 Result:

1. Jack Moore – 99 points

2. Chase Haskins – 94 points

3. Ashaan Reddi – 91 points

4. Aidan Calitz – 90 points

5. Emile van der Wateren – 88 points ‍

Round 2 Result:

1. Jack Moore – 102 points

2. Emile van der Wateren – 99 points

3. Chase Haskins – 89 points

4. Aidan Calitz – 88 points

5. Ashaan Reddi – 84 points

‍ CADET

‍The Cadet class was defined by one clear benchmark across the double-header, with Yerhu Malabie delivering a commanding performance that set him apart from the field. From the outset, Malabie established himself as the driver to beat, combining outright pace with consistency in ever-changing conditions.

Round 1 saw him dominate proceedings, securing victory across all three heats and immediately laying down a marker for the championship. Behind him, the battle for the remaining podium positions remained highly competitive. Christopher Grimmick and Grayson Venter were locked in a close contest throughout Round 1, trading positions and pushing each other across the heats, while William Grant remained within striking distance despite the challenging conditions.

‍‍Round 2 followed a similar pattern at the front, with Malabie once again executing to perfection. Despite changing track conditions and the pressure of back-to-back race days, he completed another clean sweep of the heats to secure maximum points and underline his dominance.

‍‍The fight behind him, however, evolved. Venter stepped forward with a strong and consistent performance to secure second overall, while Grimmick maintained his presence among the front runners. Grant continued to show resilience across the heats, while Ewan Wentink rounded out a competitive top five.

Across both rounds, Malabie proved untouchable, but the battles behind him highlighted a closely matched field where consistency and racecraft were key to securing strong results.

‍‍Round 1 Result:

1. ‍1. Yerhu Malabie – 105 points

2. ‍2. Christopher Grimmick – 94 points

3. ‍3. Grayson Venter – 92 points

4. ‍4. William Grant – 86 points

5. ‍5. Ewan Wentink – 85 points

‍Round 2 Result:

1. ‍1. Yerhu Malabie – 105 points

2. ‍2. Grayson Venter – 96 points

3. ‍3. Christopher Grimmick – 89 points

4. 4. William Grant – 88 points

5. 5. Ewan Wentink – 84 points

‍‍Reflecting on the weekend, John Duvill, the event coordinator, emphasised the championship's core philosophy: setting a high standard that fuels excitement and anticipation for the season to come.

“This weekend’s opening Summer Nats has set an exciting precedent for the season ahead, full of promise and rivalry as the championship unfolds, and this is exactly what ROK Cup is all about. With the pool motor system, every driver has the same machinery, which means it comes down to skill, decision-making, and racecraft. Even with the changing weather, the level of competition remained incredibly high. We want to thank all the teams, drivers, and families for their continued support, as well as the officials and marshals, and we wish everyone the very best for the rest of the season.”

‍‍The Red Star opener has set the tone for the 2026 season, a championship defined by parity, pressure, and precision. With no margin for error and multiple contenders emerging across every class, the fight for national honours is already shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent years. Over 8-10 May, the championship will return to iDube Raceway near Pietermaritzburg, KZN, for the first time in years, for another double-header national weekend.

For more information about the series, please follow the link: www.rokthenats.co.za

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