Mozambique Karting

INAUGURAL KARTING CHALLENGE TOUR TO MOZAMBIQUE - NOVEMBER 2003

After the recent karting tour to Namibia by a group of enthusiastic karters and their families, the group decided to venture further a field and secured an invitation by the Automovel & Touring Clube De Mocambique (ATCM) Club President Antonio Marques to an international karting event in Mozambique.

After a flurry of activities involving passport renewals, obtaining visas and securing international drivers licences, five GP Junior karters from the Northern Region and three from Richards Bay made a trip to Maputo during the weekend of 22 November 2003. 
The touring party were given an escort by none other than the president of ATCM, from Ressano Garcia border post to the Holiday Inn hotel in Maputo, and the South African touring party from Natal, were  met at the Namacha Border post by an ATCM committee member, Marino Soma. 

I have to add that the support by the ATCM was exceptional, and it just shows how keen our Mozambican neighbours are to receive South African Karters, and make us feel at home. I hope that we will be able to return the favour in the very near future.

Many others who were considering joining the tour but backed out in the last minute, will be pleased to know that the tarred road from the border right to the track is just as good, if not better than many of our local tarred roads.

Food was excellent, especially the seafood at the better-known eateries and the local beers are pretty good.  All South African brands of whatever are freely available in and around the city.

The old karting circuit is roughly 800m long using sections of the old main circuit, which I believe Jody Schekter, was the last South African seen at the circuit before the civil war.
Contrary  to some reports, no POT Holes and No grass growing across the track, the track surface is good considering.  It was a very proud unsponsored South African team that contributed the flag that was hoisted alongside the Mozambique national flag.  This was the first time ever that these two flags were displayed together at a karting event in Mozambique. Due to the fact the Maputo is in a Malaria area, the mosquitoes were a no show, and therefore no-one was bothered by mosquitoes, but speaking to the local karting fraternity, they suggest a good insect repellent, which should be sufficient.

t was a fantastic sight, especially for the eight South African karters to participate in front of a very partisan crowd who were estimated at over a thousand.  Junior karting in Mozambique is assured of a very healthy future provided of course the cost of the sport is kept to a minimum.

The Mozambicans were very keen to see our local Cadet karters in action, but due to many last minute cancellations, the class did not participate in this inaugural Challenge event between the two countries.
The race day’s Guest of Honour was the very likeable and influential Mayor of Maputo, the honourable Artur Canana . It was a great experience to have such a senior figure in Mozambique walking in pit lane, asking questions and watching the thrilling races that took place.  The Mayor also attended the prize giving function at the Holiday Inn.  He also handed out the trophies and other mementoes to the participants.

Although no South African participated in the 100 Stocks / F100, and healthy number of Mozambicans, took part in the race . This  was a tyre to tyre affair race, with the lead changing  almost every lap, the competition was fierce, and the local were disappointed when the South African were a no show, they were keen to compare their skills and competitiveness against the South Africans, who they perceive to be great competitors. 


Automovel & Touring Clube De Mocambique (ATCM) Club President Antonio Marques (Left)
and the Mayor of Maputo, the honourable Artur Canana (Right) at the awards ceremony.
The win for the day was eventually taken by  Marco Vieira in Formula 100 class, and Rui Vitela for the 100 Stocks.
In the 125 Max Class, only 2 drivers participated, one from Mozambique and one from Richards Bay South Africa, they started at the back of the 100 stocks and F100, and quickly caught up, but getting to the front was not as easy as anticipated, as the 125 Max’s had a hard time catching the  F100/100 Stocks, and then getting past them was another hard battle, but overhaul a good race was had by all.

ATCM Club  look forward to the next event, and hope that more South Africans, find it in them to take up this challenge, and come and race in  Maputo, its not everyday you get to compete in an International Kart Race.

The four  GP Junior Heats were all humdinger affairs with the current Mozambican GP Junior champion, Marcelle Bernado qualifying fractionally slower than Devon Robinson with ex Cadet karter, Adrian Wood in third.  The crowds and the senior Mozambican karters were given a special treat by the top six drivers with positions changing almost every lap in all the Heats.  The final Heat of the day, was by far the best race with the top three within 4 points of each other.  The two South African GP Juniors Devon Robinson and Adrian Wood showed the local champion a clean set of heels and broke away from the pack  An epic battle ensured for the lead between the two South Africans with young Adrian Wood making a daring pass with two laps to go and holding on to the chequered flag  and winning overall for the day. For the record, final results were as follows:-
GP Junior Results

1    Adrian Wood              (2 wins)  SA
2    Marcello Bernado      (1 win)    Mozambique
3    Deven Robinson        (1 win)    S A 
4    Rachid Luis                                Mozambique
5    Franco du Plessis                     S A                  
6    Naife da Cacilda                       Mozambique
7    Sebastian Bergman                  S A
8    Noormahomed Moos                Mozambique
9    Marco Gomes                            Mozambique
10  Eckart Briedenham                   SA
11  Monica Bernado                        Mozambique
12  Stefano Gomes                         Mozambique

125cc Results

1    Mauro Costa                              Mozambique
2    Chris Howcroft                           S A 

 
F100 Results

1    Marco Vieira                              Mozambique
2    Henrique Bettencourt                Mozambique
3    Tiago Paulo                                Mozambique
4    Bruno Campos                           Mozambique
5    Miguel Paulo                               Mozambique

100 Stocks Results

1    Rui Vitela                                     Mozambique
2    Bruno Brito                                  Mozambique
3    Delfin Silva                                  Mozambique
4    Paulo Ferrao                               Mozambique
The South African touring party, as they did in Namibia, arranged a flag exchange ceremony with each countries senior representative changing one another’s national flag.  All participants were requested to pose with their respective countries flags.

The Mozambican National TV Station allocated four cameras to record the event and hopefully some footage will eventually find their way back to South Africa in the near future.   “Locals” take note!!

Such was the enthusiasm and hospitality, the South African party has managed to secure and invitation to another International Karting Challenge event in March the 21st  2004,  to commemorate the official opening of their new karting circuit.

Anybody interested in joining the tour are welcome to contact 

John Wood : 082-556-0723 
Paulo dos Santos : 083-406-9356
Kim Dos Santos : 083-450-3126

Make your arrangements early as there is a limited amount of lower cost accommodation facilities. 
Watch this space for further details...............