The thrilling world of karting, often a stepping stone to elite motorsport, showcased its brilliance in the 2023 African Kart Open, held in the vicinity of the Jacaranda City, Pretoria, specifically at the Zwartkops circuit. This tournament represents the pinnacle of karting competitions in Africa, drawing young and talented drivers from across the continent and providing a stage for them to exhibit their driving skills.
For those less familiar with karting, it’s a motorsport that employs small-scale karts for high-speed competitions on closed circuits. Karts are nimble, lightweight vehicles equipped with powerful engines, allowing drivers to showcase their driving abilities, agility, and dexterity on the tracks. This sport is often seen as a launchpad for careers in motorsport, with many renowned Formula 1 drivers, such as Ayrton Senna and Lewis Hamilton, commencing their journeys in the world of karting.
In this year’s African Kart Open, competitions unfolded across various classes, each representing different levels of experience and skill. From the youngest in the Bambino category to the seasoned competitors in DD2 Masters, the competition was fierce in every category.
Noteworthy Results
In the Bambino category, young talent Alonzo de Oliveira secured the eleventh position. Despite his tender age, Alonzo de Oliveira demonstrated promise and determination on the tracks, leaving us eager to witness his progress in the coming years.
In the Micro Max category, several Portuguese-speaking drivers stood out. Rafael da Silva, representing Team Tony Kart, secured the third position. This remarkable achievement not only earned him a spot in the 2023 RMC Grand Finals, representing South Africa but also confirmed his season victory. By securing this title, Rafael da Silva established himself as one to watch in the world of karting. Santiago Frade, also competing in Micro Max, claimed the ninth position, reinforcing the Luso-South African presence at the top.
In the Junior Max category, Gianna Pascoal achieved the sixth position, challenging the notion that karting is a male-dominated sport. Her notable performance is a testament to female talent in this traditionally male-dominated realm. Mauro da Luz also secured an honourable seventh position, showcasing his skills on the tracks.
Highlights for Other portuguese speaking Drivers
Beyond the aforementioned athletes, other Portuguese-speaking drivers excelled in this thrilling race weekend. In the Bambino category, Mozambicans Eduardo Campos and Daniel Resende claimed the sixth and eighth positions, respectively. Gury dos Santos from Namibia secured the thirteenth position, demonstrating that Luso-South African talent spans across various nations.
In the Mini Max category, Angolan driver Lucas Campos claimed the eleventh position. In the same category, André Bettencourt Jr. from Mozambique achieved the thirteenth position, while Gonçalo Bettencourt, also from Mozambique, stood out in fourteenth place. These results underscore the reach of karting and its appeal to young talents from diverse parts of the continent.
A United Family Behind the Scenes
A noteworthy aspect of this event was the strong presence of the drivers’ families behind the scenes. Parents play a pivotal role in supporting and motivating young drivers. Special thanks are due to Mitch and Carmen da Silva, parents of Rafael da Silva, who warmly welcomed us during the event. The atmosphere in the pits was one of pure camaraderie, where families rallied around their drivers. A curious detail was that even mothers became knowledgeable mechanics, while fathers often seemed more nervous than the young drivers themselves, taking the event very seriously.
Dreams for the Future
Lastly, it’s important to emphasize that, although these drivers are too young to have witnessed motorsport legends like Pedro Lamy and Pedro Monteiro in Formula 1, these young talents may well become future ambassadors for motorsport in Portugal and other Lusophone countries. Karting serves as a springboard for successful careers in motorsport, and these drivers have clearly demonstrated the potential and passion needed to shine in the biggest automotive competitions worldwide.
In an event filled with excitement, skill, and camaraderie, the presence of Luso-South African drivers was notable and inspiring. As we celebrate their achievements in the 2023 African Kart Open, we also eagerly anticipate the bright future awaiting these young talents on racetracks around the world. The Lusophone karting family is clearly growing and thriving, and their accomplishments continue to illuminate the landscape of motorsport in Africa and beyond.
Roberto Silva
