Frankiewicz powers to third successive title

Despite crashing out in a barrel roll on the second lap of the first heat, Benoni’s Keagan Frankiewicz still secured his third consecutive South African Formula One Powerboat Championship title during the grand finale at CR Swart Dam on May 31.

Having come into the race the overwhelming favourite, Frankiewicz only had to finish the opening heat to secure the title. However, his boat rolled at a buoy near the Ebotse Links Clubhouse, ruling him out of the race entirely.
He was later transported to hospital with a suspected neck injury.

The second-placed Bruce Repsold, also from Benoni, failed to capitalise on this. The veteran was disqualified for striking and dislodging one of the turn buoys during the first heat.

This eliminated Repsold from title contention, and he ultimately dropped to third in the championship standings. Michael Wessels, winner of all three races on the day, moved up to second.

Speaking to the Benoni City Times before the first heat, Frankiewicz said that despite a rollercoaster season, he hoped to end it on a high.

“It started great in the Vaal. We took the podium there and then, in St Helena, it went well until qualifying when we broke the gearbox. In Germiston, we finished third. Hopefully, today we’ll come back with another podium,” he said.

Reflecting on the past two years, Frankiewicz stated he was “super blessed” to win, adding that consistency has been his key driver.

“I was running second in 2023, and Bruce led the championship. I was extremely fortunate that season because Bruce didn’t finish the final race, and I won. I won again the year after.

“The biggest thing I’ve had is consistency. Winning every race doesn’t make you the best — it’s about showing up and how your character shifts when you struggle.”

Although he’s been involved in motorsport since the age of four — racing cars and competing in motocross — it was the adrenaline of powerboating that ultimately piqued his interest.

“It caught me. It’s the adrenaline. It turns hard. It turns the same as an F1 car. The desire is to take SA to a world champ and win it,” said Frankiewcz.

He cites 15-time national champions Peter Lindenberg and Paul Shepard as his role models.

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