Ten South Africans will compete in this weekend’s 2014 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals in Spain, with four new karting world champions to be crowned on Saturday.
The South African team, selected after a gruelling season of local Max Challenge kart racing, comprises our champions and vice-champions in four classes - Junior Max, for drivers 13-16 years old, Senior Max for drivers 15-years and older, DD2 Gearbox, for drivers 15 years and older and DD2 Gearbox Masters for drivers 32 years and older.
Heading up our team is the vastly experienced Cristiano Morgado from Durban, who has won three Rotax DD2 Masters world championships on the trot, in 2011, 2012 and 2013. And Cris also holds a Senior Max title, which he won as far back as 2004.
Cris and the rest of the team have a lot of expectation resting on their shoulders, as, since the Rotax Grand Finals World Championship was instigated at the end of 1999, South Africans have won no less than 12 World Championships, starting with Gavin Cronje in the first Grand Finals in Puerto Rico.
On the brand new Kartodromo Lucas Guerrero Chiva, located 30km outside Valencia, the South Africans will be taking on over 280 top drivers from around the world, all of them national or regional champions in their own countries.
Kart fans who are keen to follow Saturday’s event can do so via live streaming. Go to www.kart-rotax.com and click on the live video button. It is suggested viewers log on to watch the finals from about 1pm SA time.
Star Motoring