Toyota’s young kart star Morgan McColl is on the vergeachieving a lifetime ambition of racing in Europe.
It is hard to believe that the softly spoken,almost shy, 15-year old Klerksdorp resident has been racing for almost adecade. When Toyota and long-time motor sport partners Castrol started thesuccessful Castrol/Toyota Development programme in 2004 Morgan was one of thefirst drivers to be signed.
It is hard to believe that the softly spoken,almost shy, 15-year old Klerksdorp resident has been racing for almost adecade. When Toyota and long-time motor sport partners Castrol started thesuccessful Castrol/Toyota Development programme in 2004 Morgan was one of thefirst drivers to be signed.
Since those early days in the Cadet class he hasworked his way to the front of very competitive fields and always flown theflag proudly no matter what the result. Entertaining and hard fought victorieshave been celebrated with enthusiasm, so much so that he’s become a celebrityin his hometown.
Currently leading the Northern Regions Junior Rokchampionship by a narrow seven point margin, he has been invited to compete inthe Rok World Cup in Italy.
The event takes place at Lonato, Italy from 12-16October and the Junior Rok class is regarded as one of the most competitiveclasses of kart racing and he will be up against 96 other hopefuls. Toyota’sformer kart world champion and multiple South African motorsport championLeeroy Poulter will accompany him to Italy.
What makes McColl’s achievement particularlyremarkable is the amount of dedication he and his father Robbie have shown overthe years. Living in Klerksdorp means there are very few testing opportunitiesas a visit to his nearest track means a round trip of some 300km.
Other drivers in the Castrol/Toyota Developmentsquad have also had good results.
Aged only six Goitsimang Ramogale is the youngestdriver in the team and currently holds second place in the Cadet class of theNorthern Regions kart championships. His elder brother, Lehlohonolo aka ‘Lucky’recently stepped up to the Mini Rok class from the Junior GP ranks and despitethe fact that he’s up against established stars, he’s acquitted himself welland is already looking for a top 10 position.
Now in its eighth year, the Castrol/ToyotaDevelopment programme is regarded as the most successful in South Africanmotorsport.
STORY BY TOYOTA
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