Off to Portugal he goes
Thompson decided to take part in the Rotax Max SA Open knowing a win would give him the opportunity to represent the country in the world finals in Portugal
Délon Thompson, a Farrarmere resident, recently competed in the Rotax Max South African Open at the Formula K race track in Golden Drive, Morehill.
He took home the gold, making him the new 2020 Senior Max African Open champion.
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Despite his lack of racing over the last year, Thompson decided to take part knowing a win would give him the opportunity to represent South Africa in the World Finals in Portugal.
“This decision was made two weeks prior to the race,” he said.
“My dad managed to organise a kart from someone who raced last year, and before I knew it I was doing laps in a Senior Max after four years of not racing.
“My confidence grew with every practice session and in the end I managed to get pole position on the day.
“Qualification heats didn’t go as planned, therefore, I started the final in third but it was action-packed with three karts fighting for the lead with fourth and fifth closing in.
“However, on lap four, first and second collided allowing me, who was right behind, to slide past with open air in front of me and I managed to set the fastest lap after pulling out a three second gap before crossing the line to seal my ticket to the finals,” Thompson explained.
He started karting when he was 11, after months of convincing his father he wanted to take part in the sport.
“My dad finally bought me a kart,” he explained.
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“I competed in the Mini Rock series for three years before moving to Junior Max and then Senior Max. When I was 16 years old I stopped karting.
“At the time I had been in the main circuit racing for two years, so this was my most recent race after taking a break for a long while.”
Thompson knows that the world finals won’t be easy but it is his immediate goal and he wants to give it all he has.
“A massive thank you to my dad, mom and everyone who helped me through this past weekend.
“I would be here all day if I had to thank everyone who assisted me in reaching my dream.
“This would not have been possible without my support system, team and mechanic, Jarryd Wray, as well as the insane number of people who supported me and did everything they could to help me reach this goal.
“Next up – Portugal for the world finals, with the goal of making everyone back home proud,” he concluded.
