Accelerating Dreams: African Karting Cup paves the way in South Africa

Motorsport South Africa is set to host the first-ever African Karting Cup (AKC) from February 15-17 at the Zwartkops Kart Circuit in Centurion, Gauteng. 

Organised by ROK Cup South Africa, the African Karting Cup is a prestigious new karting event, which aims to discover and support the next generation of racing talent in Africa. 

Backed by the FIA, the competition will provide pathways into global competition, including wild card draws for the FIA Karting World Cup OK-N, and free African Karting Cup OK-N tickets for OK-Junior winners. 

FIA Vice President for Sport for Africa Rodrigo Ferreira Rocha said: “The African Karting Cup is a great platform to highlight our region’s incredible talent. I’m pleased to see drivers from FIA Member Clubs across Africa participating this year. These events play a crucial role in doubling our motorsport participation and ensuring a strong future for our sport.”

This year’s event will welcome competitors from various countries, including Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, and Angola, among others. Each driver will be provided with identical karts – powered by Vortex engines and clad in OTK chassis – to ensure equitable and closely matched competition, across tight, 20-strong grids.

The competition follows the continent-wide karting cup format first introduced in the Middle East in 2021. The MENA Karting Cup has gone from strength to strength over the past three years – most recently welcoming 165 drivers from 15 different countries to an event at the Lusail International Circuit in Qatar.