KARTING | Kyle Lawrence Returns as a DD2 Master Powered by Victron Energy
The start of the 2023 MSA Northern Regions Regional Rotax Karting Championship on Saturday, February, 4, saw with it, the return of Kyle Lawrence. Competing as a DD2 Masters competitor for the 2023 season, Lawrence is no stranger to motorsport, having competed from a young age and heading up several race teams over the last decade.
Named as a Victron Energy Southern Africa Automotive brand ambassador, the 32-year-old started his career in 1995 and continued racing until 2007. Career highlights include two wins in the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals Qualifying Heats, and an impressive come-from-the-back drive in the final to finish ninth after starting 29th. In 2008 Lawrence, a resident of Benoni near the Formula-K Kart Circuit decided to give back to the sport by sharing his race knowledge with the future stars of the sport. Since then, Lawrence has been part of numerous race teams, the latest being Kabuki Motorsport.
While the entries for the DD2 class were somewhat fewer than usual, Lawrence qualified in fifth overall but as the top Masters’ competitor. After a solid start to the opening heat, Lawrence made his way up to third before being hit by another competitor into Turn 1. While able to rejoin the race, damage to his kart would affect not only his race but also his weekend. Heat 1 would see him cross the finish line in fifth, while Heat 2 would see him unable to maintain any decent pace due to the damage, mentioned earlier and take the chequered flag in sixth. The final heat would be a further disappointment for Lawrence, who, as a young karter, competed against the likes of Tasmin Pepper, Gennaro Bonefede and Arnold Neveling. A mechanical failure (rear coupling) would force his retirement. Once the results were tallied, Lawrence was awarded first for the Masters’ and fourth overall.
“Excited to be back racing again in a DD2. While I’ve been competing in shifters mostly of late, I felt like a new challenge. I’ve been very blessed to have the likes of Victron Energy, Kabuki Motorsport, TAU Energy Drinks and Birel Art South Africa support me this season and I’ll be doing my utmost to promote their brands. Today was somewhat frustrating in that I felt I had decent pace despite the changes to the class weight. Then to be on the receiving end of some overzealous driving spoilt my entire weekend. The chassis took some serious damage and we will likely have to replace it. Regardless, we’ll look ahead and focus on being quicker next time out. Thank you to everyone once again,” said Lawrence.
Lawrence will be back on circuit at Round 2 of the championship set to take place on 18 March at the Formula-K Kart Circuit, Benoni.
