Kempton Park teen Nasri Henri leads 2026 Sodi World Series standings

At just 12 years old, Kempton Park’s Nasri Henri is quickly establishing himself as one of South Africa’s most promising young karting drivers, following a breakthrough start to the 2026 Sodi World Series season.

Born and raised in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, Henri’s motorsport journey began at the age of six, when he first climbed into a kart for fun at the Greenstone kids’ track.

What started as a playful introduction soon revealed natural pace and race awareness that caught the attention of local track officials.

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In 2024, encouraged by staff at the EastGate karting circuit who noticed his speed and consistency, Nasri’s parents, Randall and Mateena Henri, entered him into the highly competitive Sodi World Series, an international arrive-and-drive championship that develops young talent from the grassroots level.

Henri’s debut season was marked by steady progression.

After finishing fifth in his first-ever race, he was introduced to the demanding realities of competitive motorsport, learning lessons in discipline, racecraft, and resilience.

One defining moment came during a race at Gateway, where Henri qualified sixth and charged up to second place on the opening lap, only to be caught up in an incident that dropped him to the back of the field.

Despite visible frustration and tears inside his helmet, the young driver regrouped and pushed through to finish the race, a moment that highlighted his determination and mental strength.

By the end of the 2025 season, Henri’s commitment paid off when he finished second overall in the Junior Cup standings, announcing himself as a consistent front-runner.

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The 2026 season has started in emphatic fashion.

At the opening round held on 31 January at the EastGate IndyKart circuit, Henri secured pole position before dominating the final race, crossing the line with a commanding 12-second advantage.

His performance earned him a race victory, fastest lap, and driver of the day, placing him at the top of the championship standings.

His strong performances have now opened doors beyond South Africa.

Henri has been selected to compete in the Electric Sodi World Series in Italy this June, marking his first opportunity to race on European soil against international competition.

On February 8, Nasri turned 13 and is balancing school, training, and racing while continuing to develop his skills on and off the track.