In an outstanding driving performance at Killarney’s karting circuit this weekend, OK-N pilot Mikel Bezuidenhout claimed his best national karting result, finishing second overall at ROK Cup South Africa’s national opener.
Mikel’s day did not get off to a positive start after he was forced to start from the back of the grid due to a faulty transponder during qualifying. The Johannesburg teenager, however, remained calm and made a solid start to his opening heat, battling his way through the back of the field to cross the finish line in fifth. The battle, however, came at a price, picking up a five-second penalty (Nose-Cone Penalty Infringement), which saw him classified in seventh.
Starting from third for Heat 2, the MTN Cosmo-Net-backed driver put in another stellar performance to finish in second only to a driver with international experience. Mikel’s podium was, to date, his best race result at the national level. In the final heat, Mikel drove another superb lights-to-flag race to finish third. His double-podium helped him to claim second overall.
“I am very chuffed with this result,” said Mikel. “We’ve faced numerous challenges during the 2023 season, and this is the confidence booster I needed at the start of 2024. Racing pool engines also allow us a fair shot at winning, and today, I believe we showed we are up for the challenge. There is still some work to be done and a few tenths to be found. The NBR Racing team were phenomenal, and I must thank them, especially Michael Pringle.”
With a busy motorsport schedule ahead, Mikel will prepare for his debut Investchem Formula 1600 season that gets underway next weekend in Cape Town.
Mikel is backed by MTN Cosmo-Net and Vivo Mobile South Africa.
Published by: Motorsport Fanatix
Picture Caption: Mikel Bezuidenhout
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