Close, clean driving sets pace at regionals
BORDER Karting hosted round four of the Border Karting Club Championship and the regional championship for the 60cc class on Saturday.
It was a day of action-packed racing, enjoyed by all present.
50CC cadettes:
It is nice to see new faces in this class, notably, Caleb Odendaal making his karting debut.
Jordan van der Merwe was in top form, and took all three wins on the day, followed by the ever-improving Heath Vallance, who has shown great pace this year.
Odendaal finished third for the day, a brilliant result for his debut race.
60CC juniors:
This was the provincial championship round for them, where Sebastian “Seb” Smith showed his ever improving resolve, and won all three heats in a kart graciously lent to him by Daniel Van Zummeren, as Smith’s kart was still on its way back from the last national championship round he competed in at Vereeneging. It’s great to see such sportsmanship amongst the drivers.
“Seb” was followed closely by Kaylim Padayachee and Jordan van der Merwe, who have both improved in leaps and bounds over the past few race meetings.
Jordan Dorning finished fourth for the day, with up-and-coming Van Zummeren hot on his heels.
Valance made his 60cc debut, and finished in a solid sixth place.
Clubmans:
Numbers were unfortunately down for clubmans on Saturday, but it didn’t stop Jared de Kock and Ashton Nel showing how close, clean racing should be done.
De Kock won heat one and two, with Nel putting in some super-fine driving to take one for the girls, and won heat three. Nel was also awarded the driver of the day.
DD2:
DD2 also put on a superb show for all, with Shaun Gradwell bolstered by the gracious use of Brad van Zuumeren’s kart, as Gradwell’s was damaged at the previous event in PE.
Gradwell was in top form, winning all three heats on the day, closely followed by Geoff Stephen.
The two of them put on a fine show of close racing in heat two and three, also displaying how close racing should be done, swapping positions multiple times during the heats.
Third overall was Brent Strydom, in great form, showing the top drivers that he is hot on their heels!
Fourth was De Kock, with a fantastic result in his rookie DD2 season.
He was followed by David Blueberry, Kevin Vosloo, and Craig Borges, who are all looking forward to a much better event next time out.
The next event is on September 9 at the East London Grand Prix Circuit’s karting track.
Be sure to catch all the action!