The need for speed

MARCEL Kotze is a typical teenager – all about cars, the need for speed and engines.

The 18-year-old recently revved his way into first place at the World of Motorsports ZA National Championships in the 2l Pinto Class.

He started racing cars at the age of 9 (2004) in the quarter midget class.

Bitten by the adrenaline bug, Kotze continued to excel.

His racing resume turns heads and includes second place overall in 2005, first place in the midget class (2006), second in the mini class (2007 and 2008), Mini Stocks Champion and Junior Club Champion (2010), won the Regional Championship in Modified B Class in 2011 and third in the Club Championship and Driver of the Year in Pinto Class (2012).

This youngster certainly knows his way around a track and can re-haul a car engine.

Kotze matriculated from Richards Bay High School last year and currently lives in Veldenvlei with mom Jackie, dad Marcel and sister Jizelle.

He works at Nel’s Marine as an apprentice on outboard engines.

When not speeding around the tracks, Marcel can be found fishing.

‘I would love to compete at the world finals next year,’ he says.

His motto is – you can’t say you’ve lost something if you have not won it.

This sport is one for someone with deep pockets, as the start-up and running costs are quit expensive.

A cheap car would cost R10 000, with tyres fetching R4 000 each – and they last for only three races.

Brake pads are R4 000 each, which also lasts for only three races. Fuel for one event comes to R1 000.

‘One needs to have about R10 000 a month to spend on maintaining and improving one’s car.’