13-YEAR OLD NTIYISO MABUNDA SELECTED FOR FIA KARTING ACADEMY TROPHY

Talented young racer, Ntiyiso Mabunda, has been selected as Motorsport South Africa’s Academy representative in the prestigious FIA Karting Academy Trophy, an international kart racing competition organised by the international motorsport governing body, the FIA.

Vic Maharaj, Motorsport South Africa Sporting Services Manager, says this is a great opportunity for young stars like Ntiyiso to showcase their talent and be noticed globally by the racing teams across the spectrum including the coveted Formula One. The academy – which has already produced the likes of Charles Leclerc and George Russell driving for the Ferrari and Mercedes F1 teams respectively – runs a three events season in the course of the year in Spain, Germany and Italy to crown a winner.

Just one representative from each country is selected. This is normally a driver who wins the national OKJ class and is within the age limit of 12 to 14 years old. Maharaj explains that even though Ntiyiso was second in the 2022 national championship, he was selected as the 2022 winner was above the age limit to qualify for the academy

Ntiyiso who turned 13 in December, is no stranger to racing, having started training at just 7 years of age. His mum and dad, Nomsa and Alex, are also integrally involved in the sport, as is his older brother, Mahlori (14), who is the reigning regional OKJ champion for the Northern Regions. Both boys first competitive karting season was in 2018.

Ntiyiso, who has already racked up countless podium finishes, is runner up for both National and Regional championships but the chance to compete globally is definitely the highlight of his career to date.

The sport requires lots of time, focus and dedication from these young drivers with huge dreams. Over and above the track time spent practicing and competing in races, Ntiyiso, together with three other drivers, including his brother, is part of the Perfomante Programme at Squadra Corse, the leading team he races under, owned by legend, Mpho Gumbi.

Over and above track activities, his programme includes boxing, and/or gym, every morning at 5 AM on weekdays; eye gym; hiking and other outdoor activities; regular sessions with a sport psychologist and an online simulator racing. The boys are also part of the ICAN programme for sporting talent development. In between all the training, he is still concentrating on his studies, but has elected to home school to get the necessary flexibility.

“We hope with this new opportunity that he will be noticed as a budding racing talent with great promise for a future in the pinnacle of motorsport, where diversity remains a challenge. Fortunately it is something both the FIA, alongside influential voices such as that of Lewis Hamilton, are seeking to actively address. We hope he can attract sponsorships to overcome the prohibitive cost of pursuing a career in racing,” says Alex.

Like all young racers, Ntiyiso dreams of reaching the pinnacle of motor racing, especially Formula One. “It is not an easy path, but if you love racing, have the hunger to win and show the necessary grit, discipline and raw speed talent, there is no other sport as exciting as this,’” notes Alex.

His advice to other parents is to remember that there is more than just preparing a child to become a Lewis Hamilton in karting. “There is so much development that kids gain by being racers, including academic performance and career development. The world of racing can however be daunting, especially with the endless costs, so I advise parents to ask around, come to the events and talk to as many different teams and people as possible to find a model that works for both your child and your family. You will never regret becoming part of this coveted, fun, educative and thrill-filled fraternity,” concludes Mabunda.