Zimbabwe: Rukato Gains Invaluable Karting Experience in Italy

The 2024 ROK Kart International Super Final was held at the South Garda kart track in Lonato, Italy, last weekend.

Zimbabwe’s qualifying driver, Seth Rukato (11), experienced the most exciting and challenging races of his short career when he took part in his first kart race outside the country.

The event, which began last Tuesday with sporting checks and free practice sessions, continued during the week with five qualifying heats that decided the final order for the two pre-final races, leading to the main final held on Saturday.

Seth put in a good effort during the dry free practice sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday with his best lap time only 1.5 seconds off the fastest competitors. Having to learn the track and drive a different brand of kart from the one he usually drives made his performance even more impressive.

However, torrential rain during Friday’s qualifying heats flooded the paddocks and challenged Seth as this was his first experience racing in the rain with full-wet weather tyres.

On a wet and slippery circuit, the competition was frantic, and the aim was just to stay out of trouble and finish the races.

As the rain became progressively harder during Friday’s last race of the day, a kart spun in front of Seth and in the ensuing contact, his kart came away with a slightly bent axle.

He was unable to finish the race which compromised his points.

Saturday saw racing pre-finals take place on a still-wet track. Seth competed in the pre-final B group, which proved super competitive.

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