Naicker’s rise from go-karts to international racing

AT JUST 18 years old, Ryan Naicker is gearing up to make his mark in the world of motorsport, having recently competed at renowned tracks like the Dubai and Abu Dhabi circuits.

- TASCHICA PILLAY

TEEN motor racer Ryan Naicker says endurance racing does come with risks, but added the he feels safe because of the advanced sport's safety standards.

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Naicker started the new year competing in his first international races, the 6H of Abu Dhabi in the 992 Porsche class, where his team qualified first in Pro/Am, and third overall.

They finished fifth in the race after competing against some of the best in the world. Last week he took part in the 24H Dubai.

The 24H Dubai endurance race has become a mainstay on the international motorsport calendar and is the second largest 24H race grid in the world, with entries from all over the world.

The lineup consists of over 70 Touring and GT cars, including big name marques such as Porsche, BMW, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Mercedes and Audi.

With a passion for racing ignited at the tender age of 14, Naicker embarked on his journey in a secondhand go-kart, which set the stage for his recent international debut.

“We weren't equipped with the best gear, but we tried our best, and we saw improvement every lap,” he recalled.