BRILLIANT talent thrives at South African motorsport’s grassroot level. That had to be the conclusion at the Vereeniging Action Karting circuit on Saturday (September 28), following the final rounds of this year’s South African Bridgestone Autoquip Karting Championships. A weekend of spectacular on-track action produced 2002 titleholders in all five of the country’s national karting categories. –
– In the premier 125cc Grand Prix class, Mercedes-Benz Junior Team leader Leeroy Poulter clinched the year’s top accolade with four faultless race victories. Two runner-up places were enough to place Marc Murray (Ed Murray CRG) second on the season’s title log, ahead of Jimmy Auby in his Tony’s Logistics Birel. –
– Vorton Racing team captain Robert Briggs took three of the weekend’s Class 100 Super races to claim next year’s Number One Plate with his Tony Kart Vortex. Second and third on the points log, following a season-long battle for supremacy, were Wesleigh Orr (Kart Shoppe Birel) and Guy Botterill (Intramech Tony Kart). –
– The season’s toughest Championship war was waged in the 100 Stock Class for drivers between the ages of 12 and 16 years – and is not over. Following Saturday’s twelfth – and final – race of the year, Jonathan Vilaca (Red Bull Arrows/PCR) and Wiaan Swart (Hydrenco Birel/PCR) were tied at the top of the Championship log. Following protests regarding robust driving tactics the outcome of the title chase is to be decided in a Motorsport South Africa hearing. –
– With a total of 31 entries, the 60cc GP Junior category for drivers between the ages of 8 and 12 years was an extremely close affair all year. Following three hard-fought victories this weekend, the title finally went to the Mercedes-Benz Junior Team’s Henry Steele in his Allkart Comer. Second and third in the Championship, driving identical Mercedes-Benz Junior Team machines, were Trent Williams and lady racer Tasmin Pepper. –
– The Formula 100 Class for veteran drivers enjoyed national status for the last time this year. Thus, 2002 winner George Barkhuizen (Dats Arrow PCR) will retain the title as current F100 South African Champion forever. The year’s two runners-up in the class were Dale Garvie (Indo Tony Kart Yamaha) and Tavis Basing (Mac Racetech Kosmic Yamaha).
