Young Els hogs Rotax limelight
SOUTH AFRICA is the breeding ground for world champions. Following hard on the heels of Brad Binder, 21, who won the Moto3 world title at the Aragon Grand Prix last month, there is an even younger world champion.
Jayden Els from Boksburg won the Rotax Mini Max Grand Final in Sarno, Italy, at the weekend.
Jayden’s triumph is the 13th World Karting Championship by a South African driver in the Rotax Grand Finals, run since 2000.
Jayden is only 12 years old and attends Laerskool Baanbreker.
He is also an academic achiever and starred throughout the week in Sarno, but was caught out by tough conditions in the pre-finals last Friday, starting last Saturday’s final in 10th position.
Jayden however drove a stunning race from 10th place, moving to fifth by the end of the third lap. He was in third by the second lap and moved into the lead on lap 6 before driving away to win the 12-lap final by just over a second from Canadian Thomas Nepveu, with Finn Nurmi Tino in third.
“What an amazing end to an awesome week of racing!” Jayden beamed as he celebrated after the race. “It was extremely competitive and tough, but we did it. Thanks so much to all my supporters, sponsors, school friends, fellow competitors, family and friends, and especially my mom and dad for your incredible support. ”
Three other South Africans made it into the Rotax Max grand finals on Saturday after several hopefuls were eliminated from the pre-finals in extreme storm conditions last Friday.
Justin Allison drove to 18th in the DD2 final and Eugene Brittz ended 23rd in the same race, while Joshua de Paiva ended 32nd in Micro Max.