Five-time South African champion, Muhammad “Mo” Wally is taking to the world stage yet again to test his mettle against 50 top global challengers in one of go-karting’s most prestigious world championships, the ROK Cup Superfinal. Taking place in Lonato, Italy, from October 15 to 19, the event will host more than 400 competitors from more than 35 countries across its various categories.
At just 15 years old, Wally is no stranger to the track, having competed in various racing events for more than a decade. He quickly ascended the ranks in the professional karting world both locally and internationally, as he pursues his goal of one day competing on the Formula 1 circuit. His impressive track record includes five national championship titles, two of which he won just this year. He also holds four African championship titles and an international go-karting title from Bahrain in the Middle East.
In a recent performance at the FIA Karting Championship in England, Wally started in the 18th position due to a number of unforeseen mechanical issues and an unfortunate collision. Yet, despite these setbacks, he was able to finish in sixth place, demonstrating admirable resilience and exceptional talent behind the wheel.
“While this wasn’t the outcome I’d hoped for, placing sixth in the world in such an extremely competitive championship was still a massive achievement, and I’m grateful to have been given the opportunity to participate. Every race teaches you something new, and the FIA competition has helped to prepare me mentally and physically for the next event,” he said.
Wally’s first-place victory in the ROK South African National Championship has secured his spot as an official qualifier for the upcoming ROK Cup Super final. Starting on Tuesday, he will have one day to conduct the necessary sporting checks and perform a few practice runs.
In the following days, he will complete his official practices and qualifying practices, culminating in the pre-final and final rounds next Saturday. Even with the stiff competition he will be facing off against during the race, he remains optimistic about the championship, and is confident about his prospects of success following extensive preparations.
“I’ve been training a lot, spending a few hours every day on the simulator at home, while getting to know the track and zoning in on my goals. I’ve also been working out for at least an hour every day in preparation. Karting is quite an intense sport – more so than many people tend to think. The downforce and lack of suspension on the karts mean you feel every change and bump in the road surface, and it takes a heavy toll on your neck and arms especially. I have to ensure I’m in top shape to cope with the conditions.”
Looking ahead, Wally plans to kick off his F4 career early next year. F4 cars are similar to karts in many ways – both are lightweight, single-seater vehicles with extremely low centres of gravity. This enhances stability and handling, especially in high-speed cornering, giving both a direct and responsive driving experience. The biggest differences are the speed, power, size, and weights that drivers have to master before they can move on to more complex formula racing cars.
“For now, my focus is set on the upcoming world championship in Italy. Every time I close my eyes, I picture myself crossing that finish line at the front of the pack. I’ve been working towards this my entire life, and now I’m ready to bring home my second international championship,” he concluded.