Brakpan racer (8) shines in the rain to extend championship lead
Youngster overcomes wet conditions and two falls to claim top honours.
All eyes will be on Liam Smith from Brakpan as he continues his championship campaign with grit and skill. The eight-year-old added another impressive result to his name on July 12 as he competed in Round 5 of the SA Short Circuit Series at the iDube Raceway in KwaZulu-Natal.
Racing in the PW 50 Class, Liam faced his very first race in wet conditions, with light rain falling throughout the day.
Despite this challenge, and an unfamiliar track, he adapted quickly. During qualifying, Liam consistently improved his lap times in the slippery conditions and secured pole position, setting himself up to start the first heat from the front of the grid.
Heat 1 started strong, with Liam taking an early lead. He lost traction mid-race, however, and had a minor fall. Liam was quick to recover and jumped back on his bike, though a second fall shortly after saw him finish in second place.
In the second heat, Liam started in second place but wasted no time taking the lead into the first corner. He built a comfortable gap from the rest of the riders and maintained his lead to finish in first place.
A consistent performance ensured Liam secured first place overall for the day. He remains first in the championship standings, and after this round, he now holds a commanding 120-point lead over the second place rider. The next round of the series will take place on August 30 in Vereeniging.
