Esprit de Corps is what genuinely drove the motivation at the annual West Coast Military Units Kart Challenge at Killarney International Raceway. That is, until Brad Wadeley dropped the flag to start the two-hour elimination endurance race, and the best of friends turned into the best of rivals, vying to be the next individual to beat en route to the chequered flag.
AFB Langebaanweg prepared well for this annual encounter, and with two consecutive victories Maj Essie Esterhuyse and his team had nothing but another victory in mind. Winning is not everything, but second place makes one the first loser!
It was all smiles and in good spirit though! SAS Saldanha definitely had the best spirit on the day and even had a keen Vuvuzela player present. Now that is known as an African Long Horn, but it quickly becomes an African Long Thorn when listening to it all day and the end of the race saved the super-enthusiastic player from medical assistance.
4 Special Forces Regiment Langebaan quietly drove themselves into contention, while AFB Langebaanweg was placed under severe pressure by the Military Academy Saldanha. The mixture of total novice and experienced regulars resulted in quite a number of off track excursions, but the initial shock of having “lost control” became determination to succeed with the next attempt and there were as many healthy tussles for position.
Too many to mention all names involved, but after two hours eight Karts became four for the one-hour final, and with unit pride at stake, but everyone was ready to give it their all.
Leading from the front Brigadier-General AJ “Cassie” de Castro, Commandant of the Military Academy Saldanha, tried some interesting tactics on track, in order to fend off Lt Col Albert Olynsky (AFB Langebaanweg). Sadly AFB Langebaanweg sealing their own fate with simply too many time consuming spins on track and for the very first time it was the Military Academy Saldanha which claimed overall honours. 4SFR Langebaan taking second and SAS Saldanha third. The defending champions dropping to last in 2024!
No matter, as many new friendships were made and Esprit de Corps had everyone return to their respective units with a sense of loyalty and pride!
As always, a sincere gratitude to the event sponsor SA Army Foundation and Sanlam as well as Brad Wadeley and his Kartsport team. The ever-friendly WPMC Event coordinator, Marizca Radyn, and catering by Trackside’s Yvette Wolverson.
