RISING young Karting talent Kwanda Mokoena enjoyed a stellar year in the sport as he claimed two provincial titles recently.
Mokoena, who was born in East London and raised in Bonnie Doon, now lives in Johannesburg and attends Rivonia Primary School.
This year he competed in the Mini Rok 60cc division and the Maxterino 60cc division of the Northern Regions Karting Championships, which covers the whole Gauteng province, and came out on top in both divisions.
It was an impressive feat for the 11-year-old youngster, who had to keep on his toes the whole season, with it going down to the final race to secure one of the champs.
“Going into this year Kwanda was aiming to win, but we knew he was in a tough pool of talent so it was always going to be tight,” said Mokoena’s father Kwame.
Mokoena began karting when he was seven years old as a cadet and slowly moved his way up the ranks until reaching the 60cc class he currently competes in.
Mokoena claimed both championships just two weeks apart in a whirlwind finish to the season.
First he rounded off the season in the Maxterino class in style claiming victories in all three of the day’s heats to finish a dominant season well on top.
He finished on 927 points overall, 170 points ahead of his closest challenger Anthony Pretorius in second and 174 points ahead of third-placed Aqil Alibhai.
Two weeks later, Mokoena went into the final event of the Mini Rok champs leading the standings by a solitary point from national Rok Class champion Alton Bouw.
He finished second in heat one, third in heat two and then in an exciting climax crossed the line level with Saood Variawa as they shared first in the third heat.
“Going into that final heat Kwanda had already sealed the championship so we told him he didn’t have to win and should just go out there and have fun,” said Kwame.
“But that just seemed to bring out the competitor in him and he went all out, in the end finishing level with another karter. It is the first time I have ever seen a tie.”
After Bouw endured a difficult final event Mokoena extended his lead over him to 34 points, sealing the championship on 819 points, with Bouw in second on 785 and Variawa, who took the wins in heat one and two, just behind on 784 points in third.
“Kwanda loves racing and his dream is to race cars in Europe one day,” said Kwame.
“His favourite Formula One driver is Lewis Hamilton and the late Ayrton Senna.”
His father, along with his mother Amanda have supported him from the start and were there when he raced at the Karting World finals in Italy, South Garda in 2013 at just nine years of age.
The family still has strong links to East London with Mokoena’s grandparents, Dr Xaba Mokoena and Elliot Mokoena currently living in Cove Rock, just outside East London, and they followed his progress throughout the exciting national racing series.
“East London is home. That will never change and we will be coming down to spend the December holidays in Cove Rock,” said Kwame.
Pocket dynamo steps on gas
Mokoena, who was born in East London and raised in Bonnie Doon, now lives in Johannesburg and attends Rivonia Primary School.
This year he competed in the Mini Rok 60cc division and the Maxterino 60cc division of the Northern Regions Karting Championships, which covers the whole Gauteng province, and came out on top in both divisions.
It was an impressive feat for the 11-year-old youngster, who had to keep on his toes the whole season, with it going down to the final race to secure one of the champs.
“Going into this year Kwanda was aiming to win, but we knew he was in a tough pool of talent so it was always going to be tight,” said Mokoena’s father Kwame.
Mokoena began karting when he was seven years old as a cadet and slowly moved his way up the ranks until reaching the 60cc class he currently competes in.
Mokoena claimed both championships just two weeks apart in a whirlwind finish to the season.
First he rounded off the season in the Maxterino class in style claiming victories in all three of the day’s heats to finish a dominant season well on top.
He finished on 927 points overall, 170 points ahead of his closest challenger Anthony Pretorius in second and 174 points ahead of third-placed Aqil Alibhai.
Two weeks later, Mokoena went into the final event of the Mini Rok champs leading the standings by a solitary point from national Rok Class champion Alton Bouw.
He finished second in heat one, third in heat two and then in an exciting climax crossed the line level with Saood Variawa as they shared first in the third heat.
“Going into that final heat Kwanda had already sealed the championship so we told him he didn’t have to win and should just go out there and have fun,” said Kwame.
“But that just seemed to bring out the competitor in him and he went all out, in the end finishing level with another karter. It is the first time I have ever seen a tie.”
After Bouw endured a difficult final event Mokoena extended his lead over him to 34 points, sealing the championship on 819 points, with Bouw in second on 785 and Variawa, who took the wins in heat one and two, just behind on 784 points in third.
“Kwanda loves racing and his dream is to race cars in Europe one day,” said Kwame.
“His favourite Formula One driver is Lewis Hamilton and the late Ayrton Senna.”
His father, along with his mother Amanda have supported him from the start and were there when he raced at the Karting World finals in Italy, South Garda in 2013 at just nine years of age.
The family still has strong links to East London with Mokoena’s grandparents, Dr Xaba Mokoena and Elliot Mokoena currently living in Cove Rock, just outside East London, and they followed his progress throughout the exciting national racing series.
“East London is home. That will never change and we will be coming down to spend the December holidays in Cove Rock,” said Kwame.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos