Amid a few challenges and some cool and breezy conditions at Benoni’s Formula-K Raceway, 2023 National and Northern Regions Bambino Champion Adriaan Steyn claimed a top-six finish at the penultimate round of the South African Rotax MAX Challenge (SAMRC) Kart Championships at Formula-K Raceway, Benoni.
Qualifying in seventh on a cool Friday afternoon, the Greensky-backed Micro MAX rookie took on a competitive national field on Saturday. The opening heat saw Adriaan make up two positions at the start before engaging in a battle with Matthew Shuttleworth and Luke de Toit to maintain that position for a fifth-place finish.
The Centurion resident would start from pole position in the second heat, courtesy of the fastest lap in the opening heat. Despite this, he would lose out in the drag race down to Turn 1, where he would find himself out of position and forced to concede two positions. As in Heat 1, Adriaan would be sandwiched between Matthew and Luke again, with Cronje setting the pace out front. As the top five spots swopped hands, Steyn eventually took the chequered flag in fourth in one of the more exciting races of the day.
Heat 3 would see the Sparco ambassador start third in another fight for the podium placings. On Lap 2, however, Adriaan drifted wide out of Turn-2, forcing him to drop three places to rejoin in seventh, where he spent most of the race. Halfway through the race, however, Steyn was able to make a pass to improve to sixth.
“It was a challenging weekend in terms of results. We seemed to have a good pace at some sections of the circuit but could do little to defend going up the hill. The results are, however, what they are, and I’m happy to be doing what I love. If I can leave here knowing I did my best, there’s nothing more we can do but work harder to come back stronger. Thank you to all for the support today,” said Adriaan.
The stage is set for the grand finale of the SARMC Kart Championships, eagerly awaited on 30-31 August at Zwartkops Kart Raceway in Pretoria.
Adriaan extends his thanks to Greensky, Sparco, Q4 Fuels and Parolin Racing SA.
Published by: Motorsport Fanatix
Picture Caption: Adriaan Steyn
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