Online Reporter
Collin Matiza
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THREE of Zimbabwe’s rising kart racing talents, Eli Pilossof, Kufara Chimuti and Zach Craft, are set to represent the nation at the prestigious 2026 Rotax African Open at Zwartkops Raceway in Pretoria, South Africa, from July 3 to 5.
The trio, all members of Harare-based Kart Sport Club, will head into the high-stakes regional showdown and face a highly competitive field of over 130 premier drivers from across Africa.
The Rotax African Open is one of the most highly anticipated events on the regional karting calendar.
For Pilossof, Craft and Chimuti, stepping onto the grid to race against top-tier talent from South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya and Namibia will serve as an invaluable experience.
It represents the pinnacle of their racing careers so far and a chance to test their limits on a regional stage.
The Zimbabwean contingent will compete in two of the event’s categories.
Pilossof will fly the flag in the Junior Max Class, a division known for aggressive racing and razor-thin margins while Craft and Chimuti will battle wheel-to-wheel in the Senior Max Class.
To maximise their chances, the young drivers will be accompanied by well-known Zimbabwean kart champion Zac Dufty. Serving as mechanic, coach and mentor, Dufty brings international expertise to the paddock.
Having raced competitively in South Africa for eight years, he is uniquely positioned to share his track knowledge, helping the trio navigate the intense pressure and complex technical equipment set-ups.
This milestone achievement is possible because of the long-term vision and dedication of Pole Position Karts, which has been instrumental in cultivating a thriving grassroots kart racing scene in Zimbabwe.
Through Kart Sport Club events at their home track based at the National Sports Stadium, they have provided aspiring Zimbabwean kart racers with the opportunity to compete at top regional levels.
The presence of Pilossof, Craft and Chimuti proves that the local development pathway is working and will result in more Zimbabwean karting competitors competing outside the country.
And this coming weekend, all eyes will be on the three young Zimbabwean drivers as they look to fly the country’s flag high at the Rotax African Open.
The Rotax African Open is a premier continental karting event that gathers top competitors from across Africa.
Winners of this prestigious competition earn coveted tickets to represent their respective countries at the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals (often dubbed the “Olympics of Karting”).
The Rotax African Open draws a multicultural, record-packed grid featuring top drivers from countries like South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya, Mozambique, and Namibia.
The African Open does not just award continental titles; it acts as an instrumental springboard for international racing.
Class champions at the event officially secure their places on their national teams to compete at the Rotax Grand Finals held later in the year in December.
For the Rotax African Open, the event is deeply integrated into the motorsport calendar. It often incorporates a round of the MSA National Rotax Karting Championships, making it a highly competitive weekend of racing across all age categories.
