National kart champion Joshua Coertze takes on virtual Le Mans
Nelson Mandela Bay kart racer Joshua Coertze has used online racing platforms as a means of keeping up his competitive edge and counteracting his prolonged absence from the track due to Covid-19.
Having to deal with the cancellation and postponement of races, Joshua said the adjustment had been tough at first but he realises that it is something that is affecting sportsmen and women worldwide.
Joshua’s next virtual race is this weekend where he will be competing with the Terbium
Racing team in a six-hour endurance race as a build-up to the 24 Hours of Le Mans race to be held next month.
Having last lined up in a race earlier this year, the 15-year-old speedster said it had been an adjustment being away from a competitive racing environment for this extended period.
Winning the OKJ national title in the Rok Cup SA last year earned him a spot in the KZ2 class, an opportunity the Kosmic Racing Team driver was relishing.
However, due to the onset of the global pandemic, only the first race of the season was run at Zwartkops Raceway in February.
“I was looking forward to racing in the KZ2 class because the competition is new.
“There would have been some good battles among the racers in addition to me being able to learn new things from my fellow racers,” the multipletime national karting champion said.
Joshua said that while online racing was not “realistic” it still required a good level of driving and concentration skills from racers.
“I participate in what is called iRacing and I have raced against Formula 1 drivers and other very competitive guys.
“So, it definitely has not lost that competitive aspect of racing,” he said.
He said the development of online gaming, and racing in particular, had ensured that avid sportsmen and women were still able to get involved in races even though they might not be in the same physical space.
Joshua, who uses online schooling app Think Digital to ensure all his work is up to date, said the transition from classroom-based learning at
Amadeus Independent school in Lorraine, to the online sphere, was quite interesting.
“I’m actually enjoying online learning at the moment because it allows me to work at my own pace.”
On being busy away from the driver’s seat, Josh said he had been engaged in a number of activities, including keeping his fitness levels up to ensure boredom does not get the better of him at home.
Constantly on the road during racing season, he believes this lockdown has made him appreciate the time spent with his family a lot more.