2023 National DD2 Champion Sebastian Boyd Battled the Heat and the Best at the 2023 RMC African Open.
Sunday’s 2023 RMC African Open was a scorcher. High temperatures and red-hot racing were the order of the day for three-time National DD2 champion Sebastian Boyd. With the sun blazing down on Zwartkops Raceway, the stakes were high at an event of this magnitude and Seb was there to showcase his class and racing pedigree.
Sundays’s qualifying, two pre-finals and ‘winner-takes-all’ final proved to be a dramatic and challenging affair for Boyd as his journey to the podium was marked by fierce competition from a number of Africa’s best DD2 drivers.
Qualifying
Boyd’s quest for glory at the 2023 RMC African Open began with a closely contested qualifying session. As the rapid 2-speed Rotax DD2 karts lapped the circuit for their super pole shootout Boyd delivered a strong performance, clinching fourth position on the grid for the first of two pre-finals and setting the stage for an exciting and wild weekend of racing.
Pre-Final 1
The opening race of the weekend was nothing short of a rollercoaster ride for Boyd. As the lights went out, a chaotic start saw him lose positions early in the race. However, Boyd’s ability to maintain his composure and rapidly adapt to unpredictable circumstances became evident. He navigated through the chaos, showcasing his race craft, and clawed his way back into contention.
Despite the frenetic start, Boyd exhibited remarkable maturity. His pursuit of the leading pack paid dividends as he crossed the finish line in a solid third place, salvaging valuable points and setting the tone for the next pre-final. His overtakes going into T1 under heavy braking were mighty impressive as he completed his comeback to the podium.
Pre-Final 2
Boyd’s character was further tested in Pre-Final 2. Starting from the second row, he faced an uphill battle to secure a favourable grid position for the final. The race was a hard-fought contest, with Boyd showcasing his abilities once again.
As the laps ticked by, Boyd consistently pushed the limits of his kart, making calculated overtakes and challenging his competitors. His tenacity paid off as he crossed the finish line in a close third place, securing crucial points that would see him start the final from a favourable P3.
The Final: Battling the Heat and the Best
With the points from Pre-Final 1 and Pre-Final 2, Boyd earned his spot on the second row of the grid for the final. As the sun beat down, the lights went out for the 2023 RMC African Open DD2 Final.
Seb knew that the competition would be fierce, and the challenge of the race would be exacerbated by the extreme track and air temperatures. Determined for a good result, he accelerated off the line and proceeded to keep the pressure on his rivals throughout the 20-lap contents in a final which proved to be a test of skill, endurance, and mental fortitude.
Throughout the race, Boyd displayed exceptional consistency and tactical acumen. Lap after lap he banged in the times all while keeping super smooth and composed. His determined pursuit of victory was evident in every turn of the wheel.
In the end, Boyd crossed the finish line in a well-deserved third place, securing a podium finish at the 2023 RMC African Open. It was a top drive from the multiple champ against some very stiff competition and the perfect preparation for what lies ahead for him at this year’s RMC Grand Finals in Bahrain this December.
The Bigger Picture
While a podium at the 2023 RMC African Open was a hard-fought achievement in its own right, it also served as a crucial step in Boyd’s journey toward the RMC Grand Finals. Every race, every challenge, and every experience gained at Zwartkops Raceway only benefited Seb and the team in their preparations.
It was a great showing of how he always wants to test himself against the best and race at the highest levels of karting all while showcasing his ability to adapt and deliver no matter the circumstances.
Boyd’s Reflection
Reflecting on the weekend’s racing, Sebastian Boyd expressed his satisfaction with the outcome. He noted that while the competition was fierce and the conditions challenging, he relished the opportunity to push himself to the limit. The experience gained at the event would undoubtedly prove invaluable as he continued his preparations for a Bahrain onslaught.
“It was a tough weekend with extremely hot temperatures and some strong competition. I’m happy to walk away with P3 in the Final and valuable experience gained in conditions similar to those we will face in the Bahrain desert. Big thanks to Trevor for all the hard work once again and to my dad, and big congratulations to Jamie for winning his first ticket to the Grand Finals.”
Looking forward, Seb remains determined in his pursuit of excellence. RMC African Open Silverware in the bag and back to RMC Regional duties in the Cape as he continues his preparations for the big one at the end of the year.
Published by: Racebook
Photography by: Motorsport Fanatix
MSA Publishes media releases from a host of different sources on our website as a service to the sport. It is not practically possible to vet/approve every release that is published. Some news items and articles are written by correspondents and do not necessarily represent MSA’s views.