National Mini ROK debutant Diego Antunes finished in a respectable 15th overall at the weekend’s third and penultimate national round of the National ROK Cup Karting Championship held at the Killarney International Raceway.
Backed by TrevPar World, the former Bambino and Kid ROK driver competed as one of ten Mini ROK U/10 competitors alongside the more prominent Mini ROK class (for ages 9 to 13 years). In the open class, he qualified 15th out of 22 drivers at a circuit he last competed at in a much slower Bambino kart (2022). Despite what seemed daunting, the Johannesburg driver performed admirably to finish 15th overall at the end of the day and 6th in the more junior category.
“Once again, Diego impressed us,” said Rui Antunes, Diego’s father. “While he didn’t light up the timing screens as they would say, his pace was consistant and actually better than we anticipated. He still finds the starts challenging, but once he negotiates the first few corners, he’s much more at ease in the kart. The most important for us at this stage is that he is enjoying it and that’s all that matters for now. With time and plenty laps he’ll improve. So we are not putting any pressure on him to perform. Thank you to everyone who always encourages him, he really enjoys being at the circuit.”
While the final round of the national championship is scheduled for the Vereeniging Kart Circuit on September 23, Antunes returns to regional competition on September 2 at the same venue.
Published by: Motorsport Fanatix
Picture Caption: Diego Antunes
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