Killarney International Raceway | Short Circuit Racing Cape Town

Race Report by Hayley Zaayman.

On Saturday, the 7th of September 2024, Round 6 of Killarney International Raceway’s short circuit racing commenced after an almost three-month hiatus. The bikes were back on track and with the new season evident, millions of flowers started to bloom on the infield.

With the sun shining and smiles radiating off riders, spectators and the race control team alike, a smooth qualifying went underway.

Zante Otto, the only lady racing in this category, finished Race 1 of the Access Auto 125cc Junior and Senior four stroke bikes in first place, gathering the best lap time too with a time of 1min 05.301 sec. Following Otto, Mario Ferreira finished the race in second with Ewert Koorts behind him in third.

The MiniMoto’s also known as the peewees, or the pocket bikes called in for the day’s second yellow flag during Race 1.

Mia Pienaar, the younger sister of Tristin Pienaar – rider #50 of the HSC Racing 150cc Junior and Senior bikes – won Race 1 of the MiniMoto category with Rogan King following closely behind her in second and Kalvin Feldtman in third.

Slade van Niekerk, #111 of the Club Sport category brought out the third yellow flag of the day when he came to a sudden stop at the bus stop on the inside of turn two after only completing four out of ten laps.

Abigail Basson finished race 1 in first place with a bolting lap time of + 58. 935 sec. Behind her, Braddon Hutchings completed the race in second place with Mario Ferreira following behind him in third.

Unfortunately, Club Sport rider, Raymond Bezuidenhout, got charged with a three-place penalty after jumpstarting the race. This changed his position from 6th place to last.

The Genasys NSF100s had a similar incident breakout when rider #37, Bertus Taljaard received a three-place penalty after jumpstarting race 2 of the category, moving his position to last from second.

Up and coming rookie, Tyler Agnew of the Genasy’s NSF100s suffered a mighty accident just before the start/finish line as he was about to complete his third lap during race 2. Tyler lost control of his bike and sorely face planted into the gravel on the infield and marshals sprung to assistance. Luckily, Tyler had not suffered any long-term injuries, though he might have been battered and bruised for the next race.

Caleb Boniface finished race 2 of Genasys NSF100s in first with a best lap time of 1 min 03.995 sec, while his peers Nathan Waddington received second and Tyler King third.

Race 2 of the Access Auto125cc Junior and Seniors four stroke bikes saw Jaques Ackerman overtake Ewert Koorts milliseconds before the start/finish line on the last lap, swiftly changing his position from third to second in record breaking time.

This caused the results to be, as follows, Zante Otto in first with another best lap time of 1 min 05.700 sec and Ackerman following behind her in second with an unlucky Koorts in tow in third place.

The HSC Racing 150cc Junior and Seniors category’s Race 2 saw the shocking three-place penalty of Tristan Pienaar, changing his position from a podium third to sixth due to an unfortunate jumpstart at the beginning of the race.

Nicholas Hutchings finished Race 2 in first place with a best lap time of + 58.926 sec with Jason Linaker following behind in second and Max Munton in third.

Following Ackerman’s impressive overtake in his second race, a not so impressive start to race 3 caused him to retire early on the warm-up lap whereby marshals had to push him back to the pits.

The Auto Access 125cc Juniors and Seniors race 3 resulted in Zante Otto taking first for a third consecutive time while Mario Ferreira followed closely behind in second and Ewert Koorts in third.

Just like Ackerman, James Strahlendorf overtook Robin de Vos seconds before taking the chequered flag on the last lap of the HSC Racing 150cc Junior and Seniors Race 3. Pushing him up to fifth from sixth place.

Race 3 saw that of Nicholas Hutchings taking first with Jason Linaker in second and Tristin Pienaar in third.

With the final wave of a chequered flag, a day of successful racing came to an end.

Be sure not to miss the next round of Short Circuit Racing on Saturday 12 October at Killarney’s karting circuit. See you there!