Senior MAX stalwart Kian Spies stunned many this weekend with a superb outing at Zwartkops Kart Raceway, claiming the overall runner-up position in a fiercely contested three heats. Kian was competing in the opening regional round of the Northern Regions Rotax Kart Championships that got underway this past weekend.
Now in his third Senior MAX season, Kian has shown moments of brilliance but has always been denied a strong result, usually due to some or other misfortune. This weekend, however, he showed that he can run at the front.
“While Friday’s practice pace could have been better, a few changes on Saturday morning made all the difference,” said Kian. “Unfortunately I couldn’t make it count as I struggled to put a clean lap together amongst some slower drivers.”
Having qualified in 10th, the Xtreme Racing Team driver made up four positions on the opening lap and spent most of the race looking to finish in the top five. When the chequered flag dropped, however, Kian had to settle for sixth, the same position he recorded in the second heat after receiving a Nose-Cone Infringement Penalty (NCIP).
Having shown incredible skill backed up by a strong pace, the Western Cape-based university student took full advantage of the fiasco of a start by some drivers ahead that led to a multiple-kart pile-up. With fortune finally on his side, Kian led the race for a few laps before he was passed for the lead. Hungry for that first win, he kept the leader, Ethan Bostander, honest throughout the next several laps but missed out by three-tenths of a second as the pair crossed the finish line.
Kian will now set his sights on the Rotax Euro Trophy Winter Cup in Spain before returning to South Africa for the African Open and national championship round in Cape Town.
Published by: Motorsport Fanatix
Picture Caption: Kian Spies
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