Elektra goes full throttle at 24-hour race

Not many girls can claim to be one of only three of the youngest female drivers in the world to compete in a 24-hour endurance race, but Boksburg petrolhead Elektra Dior Skordis can.

The 15-year-old kart racer, along with Chloe Castel (15) and Kristen Auerswald (16), made history when they competed at the VMS Paint 24hrs of iLamuna at the Redstar Raceway in Delmas in November.

The trio captivated fans with their skills, resilience and perseverance, setting a new world record when they became the youngest female drivers to complete a 24-hour endurance race.

The event, that involved taking an old car and spending R50 000 on the mechanics before throwing it on the 4.2km track to run for 24 hours, was unfamiliar territory for Elektra but she was up for the challenge.

Being part of a team of four drivers, including her coach, Jamie Smith of Farrarmere, also made it easier for the driver.

“It was a long race, but I enjoyed it. It taught me endurance, resilience, how to stay focused on the track and teamwork,” said Elektra.

The experience she gained in Africa’s only 24-hour endurance race will be valuable to the young driver as she continues her development in a sport she took up only three years ago.

Elektra was drawn into racing after seeing SA Grand Prix motorcycle racer and 2016 Moto3 world champion Brad Binder, who now races for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing in MotoGP, race at the Formula-K Raceway in Morehill.

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“We came to watch a race at Formula-K, and Brad Binder was there. From there, I got into a kart and started racing. I started in the junior max class before moving to DD2. I took part in a few club races, and from March, will go to compete in a regional competition,” she said.

Hoping to follow in the footsteps of her favourite Formula One driver, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who has won eight grand prix across seven seasons, Elektra’s ambitions include joining the female-only F1 Academy, attaining a Formula 4-level single-seater racing championship, and developing the next generation of talented female drivers.

“I enjoy karting. From here, you graduate to the F1 Academy for Girls. I want to join the academy and race in Europe. I enjoy the sport and want to compete professionally.”

Jamie, a multiple regional and national karting champion, said Elektra has the talent to become one of the top female drivers in the country.

“Elektra is a good driver. She has a natural ability to drive fast, which you don’t see in many people. She’s progressed quite nicely in the year we’ve been driving together. I look forward to seeing how far we can get up the field this year. It will be difficult, but we’ll put in the work.”

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