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Sports Reporter
PROMISING young Zimbabwean motor racing driver Zac Dufty is once again set to carry the country’s flag high at a major international race meeting in Europe this year.
Dufty, who usually races at Harare Karting Club’s Donnybrook track, will soon be leaving for Italy where he will be the country’s sole representative at the Italian National Trofeo Cup and the ROK Cup International Finals from October 17–25.
Last year, Dufty (10) raced in the ROK Cup International Finals where he narrowly missed out on qualifying for the pre-finals.
This year, his target is to make the finals and finish in the top 25.
Team manager of the RKT kart team Etienne Roos is confident that the young Zimbabwean will cement the good impression that he made at last year’s World Finals.
“Zac has shown commitment, intelligence and excellent driving and race skills to have got to this point, and he should be very proud of himself,” Roos said.
Dufty will again be one of the youngest competitors at these prestigious events and is the youngest Zimbabwean karter ever to attend a World Final.
Over 300 competitors from at least 30 countries and factory teams representing every major kart manufacturer will be taking part.
As well as having driven thousands of kilometres around the track at Donnybrook, where he can be found practicing most weekends and some week-day afternoons, Dufty has also raced and trained in South Africa at both the Zwartkops and Dube tracks and has also driven in the UK at Whilton Mills race track where he received one-on-one training from one of UK’s top karting coaches Martin.
A dedicated karter since he was six years old, Dufty will be accompanied by his father Kevin, who is also his coach and mechanic.
Kevin will be responsible for all mechanical work on the kart which Zac will drive in Italy as well as ensuring that his son has all of the administrative documentation completed.
He will also be responsible for ensuring that the kart and driver fulfil all of the requirements that one would expect at world finals level.
“I loved racing in the World Finals last year and although I did not reach the pre-finals, I was still pleased with my performance as it was my first race experience at this level,” said Dufty.
“However, this year, I have more experience and know better what to expect. I have been training hard on the track and also physically and mentally.
“I think that I can get to the finals this year and I hope to earn a place among the top 25 drivers.
“It’s very special to be at a race like that and know that I am the only person from Zimbabwe competing! It feels great to wave our flag amongst all the others in the parade and to have my kart stickers made with the flag and in Zimbabwean colours.”
Graphtec and Motortorque are already on board to support the youngster’s ambitious target and he and his father have approached many other businesses, too, for support.
They will also be holding fund-raising events to ensure that they can make the best of this opportunity.
With Factory teams from all the major manufacturers Birel, Tonykart, CRG, loads of private teams, going right down to men’s and women’s teams, the Finals in Italy promise to be an amazing experience for young Zac.
Online Reporter