Successful debut season in the Engen Polo Cup for young Benoni driver
Benoni’s answer to ‘Schumi’?
Most of the successful race car drivers of our time have cut their teeth driving karts.
Eighteen-year-old St Dunstan’s College matric learner Délon Thompson is another young driver who has made the step up from karting.
Thompson moved to the Engen Polo Cup Championship this year and is making those in motorsport circles take notice.
He finished sixth overall in his debut series and was acknowledged as the most improved driver of the series.
He is aiming to get better and better.
“We race the VW GTI Polo,” said Thompson.
“It is a two-litre, 16-valve engine and we make 150kW.
“It is a lot different to racing the karts.
“Obviously, there are gears now and it’s a front-wheel drive vehicle.
“Now that we have gears we need to know when to go up and down, especially when we are overtaking.
“It’s a standing start and we have to be able to have good clutch control, but they might implement a launch control next year.”
The youngster said the races in the Engen Polo Cup are a lot closer than karting and that there is a lot more bumping of cars on the track.
“There is a lot more competition than in karting where, usually in South Africa, there would be three top runners.
“In the Polo Cup, the Top 10 is really close with drivers separated by just under point-five of a second.”
The driver added that they do eight races throughout the year in the championship with his favourite track being down in East London.
Thompson hopes he can win the championship and take his racing overseas.
“I have always enjoyed racing and grew up at the track.
“My dad did karting and he bought me a kart when I was 11 after a lot of nagging.
“Next season, I hope to get more sponsors on board as it’s really expensive to race alone.”
The teenage racer added that his inspirations in motorsport are his father, Alan, and Formula 1 legend. Michael Schumacher.
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