The MSA Northern Regions Regional ROK Karting Championship gets underway this weekend (18 February) at Benoni’s Formula-K Kart Circuit and sees Capetonian-based driver Manelisi Nkomo start his 2023 season.

While the MSA Western Cape Regional Karting Championship just concluded its opening round this past weekend, Nkomo, now residing in the Western Cape, has opted to compete in the Northern Regions edition. In 2022, Nkomo competed in five regional Mini ROK events and all four national championship events in a somewhat disruptive season for the former Johannesburg youngster. This season should see him compete more consistently in the Western Cape, while also vying for national honours.

“2022 saw a few changes, most notably moving from Gauteng to the Western Cape. As a result, I competed where I could when I could. But this season, I will likely compete more at home in Cape Town. With most of my equipment in Gauteng, we decided to race at Formula-K this weekend. I’m confident we can have a good race weekend, granted I stay out of trouble. Mini ROK is the most challenging class in South Africa where competitors are split by thousands rather than tenths of a second,” said Nkomo.

While an official program is yet to be released, the day will typically commence with a warm-up session followed by a qualifying session before three race heats to determine the day’s overall winner.