From fun karts to World Cup Finals

Collin Matiza, Sports Editor

IT’S hard to believe that Takunda “TK” Mapiro only got into karting just under two years ago and this year went on to win the Mini Rok Zimbabwe Karting Championship.

The prize for taking the class title was an entry to the ROK Cup World final held at the famous South Garda kart track in Italy this past weekend.

The final is the grandest stage of 2023 where the best of the best competitors fly in from 50 countries all over the world to settle the score on track.

With 412 international karters competing across six different categories, 11-year-old TK was up against 80 other hopefuls in the Mini Rok Class.

For the past two weeks, he has faced the rigours of international kart racing, competing in both the Italian Trofeo Cup and then this last week-end, the ROK World Final.

In-between the two events, he has tested and practised everyday with his mechanic and mentor, Zac Dufty, to get up to pace racing a different brand of kart and at a new track.

Such an intense programme was new to TK and proved a challenge for him both mentally and physically.

Over two days of practice and elimination heats, TK put in a fantastic effort by qualifying for the B final.

With 36 competitors, all with something to prove, the pace in the final was always going to be frantic and so it proved.

In the first five laps, four kart racers were involved in various incidents with TK keeping a cool head and moving up to 23rd position early in the race.

With some very close and physical racing, TK dropped a few positions but went on to finish a commendable 26th position in his first karting foray out of the country.

It was a dream come true for TK who, in less than two years, has gone from driving fun karts with friends at Pole Position Karts, to representing Zimbabwe at the prestigious ROK World Final event.

TK’s journey up the motorsports ladder has truly been fast-tracked through his hard work, dedication, and talent.

ROK Cup Zimbabwe promoter, Kevin Dufty, said: “We are so excited and proud of TK’s efforts at the ROK World final and well done to him for flying the Zimbabwe flag high.

“This is just the beginning of our efforts with the new National Sports Stadium track and club to grow the sport by providing opportunities for all our members to enjoy and develop. For 2024 we have big plans!”