Saturday, 19 September 2026
Friday, 18 September 2026
SA TACING CHAMPION ROBERT WOLK SHOT DEAD IN KEMPTON PARK ROAD-RAGE INCIDENT
Police are investigating a murder case after a 41-year-old touring car champion was killed while on his way to catch a flight to Cape Town
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| Robert Wolk was a celebrated South African racing driver whose career spanned almost three decades. Photo: Motorsport South Africa |
South African motorsport is mourning celebrated racing driver Robert Wolk, who was shot and killed in Kempton Park on Wednesday (September 16).
The 41-year-old was due to fly to Cape Town for a race when he was killed in what police described as a road-rage incident in Esther Park, reports The Citizen.
SAPS spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said Wolk was shot on the corner of Camwood Street and Portland Drive.
“He was declared dead at the scene. An Audi vehicle believed to belong to the victim was also found at the scene. No arrests have been made, and a murder case has been opened,” she said.
Road-rage argument
According to witnesses, Wolk’s Audi collided with a Volkswagen Jetta at low speed. Wolk got out of his vehicle to assess the damage when an argument broke out.
Caxton Network News reported that a video of the incident circulating on social media appears to show Wolk pleading with the other driver before the man produces a firearm and appears to shoot him as he walks away.
The shooter then appears to retrieve an item from the ground before fleeing the scene.
Police said the motive for the shooting is being investigated.
Tributes to racing champion
According to the Knysna-Plett Herald, Wolk’s death has sent shockwaves through South African motorsport.
His career spanned almost three decades and included success in karting, single-seaters, touring cars and circuit racing.
His achievements included multiple Formula Ford titles, the SA Formula Volkswagen championship in 2013, the Formula 1600 championship in 2015 and back-to-back SA GTC titles in 2021 and 2022.
He won the SA Touring Cars championship in 2024.
In May, he claimed his second Simola Hillclimb King of the Hill title before returning to South African Touring Cars in June with a victory at Aldo Scribante. Driving an Investchem Gould GR55, he posted a winning time of 35.024 seconds in the Top 10 Shootout.
‘Profound void’ in motorsport
Motorsport South Africa wrote on its website that it is deeply saddened by Wolk’s death.
“Robert was a hugely respected figure in South African motorsport, with a career spanning almost three decades and success across karting, single-seaters, touring cars and other forms of circuit racing.”
The organisation said Wolk’s passion for racing remained evident until the end of his career. He was still competing at national level and was due to race at Killarney race track this weekend.
“His passing leaves a profound void in South African motorsport. Robert will be remembered not only for the championships and victories he achieved, but for the passion, commitment and sportsmanship he brought to the sport throughout his career,” Motorsport South Africa said.
Tributes have also poured in from fellow drivers and fans, with many remembering Wolk for his professionalism, humility and passion for racing.
His death is expected to be keenly felt at Simola Hillclimb, where he was a familiar and much-loved competitor.
- Faizel Patel and Hugo Redelinghuys
MARC MARQUEZ ISSUES PEDRO ACOSTA MOTOGP TITLE BATTLE WARNING
Marc Marquez isn’t ruling Pedro Acosta out of MotoGP title contention
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| Marc Marquez believes Pedro Acosta is a title rival in 2026 © Gold and Goose |
Marc Marquez insists Pedro Acosta is “in the championship” following the KTM rider’s strong Friday at the MotoGP Austrian Grand Prix.
Ducati rider Marc Marquez begins the Red Bull Ring weekend leading the championship standings on 274 points, following his San Marino Grand Prix victory.
But after Friday’s running in Austria, KTM’s Pedro Acosta looks like the favourite to win both races, having topped both practice sessions.
Marquez, who was fourth, was asked how he would consider a battle between himself and Acosta, given the latter is not in title contention.
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| Pedro Acosta, KTM Factory Racing, 2026 Austrian MotoGP © Gold and Goose |
However, the Ducati rider warned: “He’s in the championship.
“Eight races to go, he’s 65 behind. I was 100 behind seven races ago. So, he’s in the championship.”
On Acosta’s speed on Friday, he added: “I expected it because it’s not the first time KTM is very fast here.
“And Pedro puts that extra in KTM. He was already very fast in the other race tracks, and here at the moment he is the best one.”
Marquez “not ready to win” in Austria
Marquez won in Austria last year on the Ducati, but doesn’t feel like he is “ready” to do the same after practice.
“The feeling is that today we worked, we worked hard,” he said.
"But the most important thing is that from the first run to the last run of the day, we improved the feeling, we improved the way to ride the bike.
“This is something very positive. Let’s see if tomorrow we need to do another step, because at the moment, we are not ready to fight for the victory. But, we are on Friday.”
Michelin has brought the stiffer tyre carcass to the Red Bull Ring that it used in Thailand and Brazil at the start of the campaign, which the Ducati struggled on.
Marquez says he has to keep adjusting the set-up of his bike to better manage the tyre, but noted that he’s in better shape in Austria than he was in Thailand.
“Basically, the set-up.
"The way you ride is you have one riding style. But it’s true that the fact that we changed the rear casing is changing the character of the bike.
“As we saw in Thailand, we suffered a lot. And today it looks like we suffered a bit more than Misano, but less than Thailand.
“But the most important thing is that from FP1 to the Practice, we did a step, and we will continue.”
He added: “In used tyres, I feel better. The good thing is that, at the moment, I don’t feel the drop, and this gives me a good feeling.
“But I need to improve the time attack, because with the time attack, with this casing, I’m always struggling a bit more.
“And I need to improve there, or to understand how to start on the front row.
“Last year I won with this casing. So, let’s see. I know where I’m losing at the moment compared to last year, and let’s see if tomorrow I can do a step in riding style.”
- Lewis Duncan
EMMA CLAY IS THE 2026 W1 SERIES CHAMPION
Emma Clay is the 2026 W1 Series, CHAMPION! 🏆🥇🎊
7 pole positions
5 wins out of 10
9 podium finishes out of 10
#FerrariEsports #Ferrari #W1Seeies
TOYOTA X10 🏆 | 10 WRC CONSTRUCTORS' TITLES
Ten WRC Constructors' titles, 6 consecutive wins (2021–2026).
Toyota matches Lancia's legendary record!
From the iconic Celica (1993) to the current dominance of the GR Yaris Rally1. A legendary dynasty 🏁
🇮🇹 Dieci titoli mondiali costruttori al WRC, 6 consecutivi (2021-2026).
Toyota eguaglia il leggendario record della Lancia!
Dalla mitica Celica (1993) all’attuale dominio del GR Yaris Rally1. Una dinastia leggendaria 🏁
📸 motoresport.cat
HYROX ATHLETE APOLOGISES AFTER CONTINUING DESPITE SO8LING HERSELF AT EVENT, CONFIRMS FORFEITURE OF WIN
A Hyrox competitor who soiled herself during a competition in Beijing has apologised for continuing the race, and confirmed that she has retrospectively forfeited her win and the points from the event.
Joanna Wietrzyk took part in Saturday's Hryox Elite 15 event with faeces visible on her leg, as photos and videos of the event from the Chinese capital were widely circulated on social media.
The incident led Hyrox to give race directors the power to withdraw an athlete if blood, vomit, urine or faeces creates a welfare or contamination risk to them or other competitors. Any athlete removed in those circumstances will be recorded as not finishing the race.
Australian athlete Wietrzyk went on to win the women's pro race on Saturday in a time of 1 hour, 1 minute and 23 seconds.
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| Joanna Wietrzyk apologised for continuing to race at the Hyrox event in Beijing. Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images |
In a statement posted on Instagram, she issued an apology for continuing and that she would withdraw the points earned.
"I want to offer my sincere apology to the people of China, my fellow competitors, the spectators and the HYROX organizers for what happened during the race in Beijing," she wrote.
"I felt completely fit and healthy at the start of the race, with no reason to expect any illness. Looking back, I regret the decision to not have stepped off the track.
"I recognize that I should have made a different choice. I take responsibility for my decision to continue and am deeply sorry for the discomfort and disruption it caused.
"I know my actions had an impact beyond myself, and I am genuinely sorry to everyone who was affected.
"I am learning from this experience and will carry those lessons with me, including remembering that there is more to life than racing and knowing when it is right to step away. On reflection, I have decided to retroactively withdraw from the race and forfeit the points I earned."
Hyrox China said areas affected during Saturday's competition were isolated and disinfected, while contaminated communal equipment and carpets were removed and replaced for racing the next day
Hyrox is a rapidly growing fitness-racing format, founded in Germany in 2017 and has surged in popularity since the pandemic.
It sees competitors alternate between workout stations, including skiing and rowing machines, and eight legs of 1km runs.
- ESPN
Thursday, 17 September 2026
MAX VERSTAPPEN PASSES 100 KARTS IN JUST 14 LAPS IN RED BULL'S MAX VS 100
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| Image: Drivers seen during the Red Bull ‘MAX vs 100’ in Silverstone, Great Britain on September 16, 2026. - Credit: Predrag Vuckovic / Red Bull Content Pool |
Max Verstappen has overtaken all 100 of his challengers in Red Bull's Max vs 100, the largest go-kart race ever staged, completing the task on lap 14 of 30 at Silverstone tonight. Starting 101st on a grid built specifically for the event, the four-time Formula 1 world champion cleared the field in just 35 minutes,
– "When I went to the grid and I saw where I had to start, with 100 karts in front of me, I was a little bit worried," Max said. "After my first lap, with all the carnage, I did think 'Okay, we have got this under control!' It started to become really fun and once I started getting into a rhythm, was able to overtake them one-by-one and saw the gap closing, that was really exciting.
– "It was great to just be back in a go-kart again and go back to basics, it reminded me of racing back in the day. It's a really beautiful track and well designed, and it was a nice touch to be able to get all the data fed through the radio too. I had a great day and it was good to come out with the win!"
- The scale of it was clear from the moment the grid formed up. Seen from above, 101 karts stretched back along the Silverstone asphalt in rows, with Max in the very last one. Ahead of him were Red Bull athletes, Red Bull players, content creators, streamers, journalists and fans selected from around the world – most of them driving the track only for the second time after Tuesday's practice and a single qualifying lap earlier in the day.
- The opening lap decided half the race. With 101 karts funneling into the first corners, Max had passed more than 10 drivers before he even reached the start/ finish line and at the hairpin the field folded in on itself, karts running into each other and facing the wrong way. "I have no idea what's going on – it's carnage," he said over the radio. Two minutes in, he was 37th. 63 drivers had been eliminated without completing a lap – more than half the field – and when the number was relayed to him, the reply came back: "Not a bad first lap then!"
- Under the rules, a driver was out of the race the moment the rear of Max's kart drew level with the front of theirs, so every pass was final and the onboard microphones caught the field coming to terms with that one by one. On Lap 7, motorsport YouTuber Paky TWC, running sixth at the time, could be heard asking Max over the radio not to overtake him. He was passed shortly afterwards.
- By then the race had settled into a chase. Pole-sitter Jacky Martens, YouTuber Zac Alsop and Red Bull Ford Powertrains technician Lewis Osler had built a lead of around 12 seconds while the chaos unfolded behind them, and Max was taking three seconds a lap out of it.
– With 54 minutes still on the clock, the Race Director handed the leading group an extra fast lap. The three of them used their shortcuts together on Lap 12, then stopped fighting for the top sport and started driving defensively. It bought them a little time. On the next lap Max arrived, cleared Alsop and Osler in one corner and then passed Martens to finish the job with 35 minutes still on the clock.
- Martens, a Dutch Formula 1 journalist, had led for most of the race. He and Osler joined Max on the podium, the champion's own team technician standing one step below him. Very few people have ever stood on a podium alongside Max Verstappen and tonight two everyday racers joined that list. Behind Alsop in fourth, renowned off-road motorcyclist Pol Tarrés was fifth. Livestreamer RDJavi, photographer Larry Chen, mountain biker Bernard Kerr and actor Neo Yau completed the top 10.
– With onboard cameras and microphones on every kart, Max's exchanges with his challengers went out live on Disney+, presented by BAFTA Award-winning comedian Mo Gilligan. Max's fastest lap of the race was 2m 20.673s, while the next best was Martens's 2m 23.327s, over 2.6s slower. Across the full 35 minutes, Max passed a driver every 21 seconds on average.
- The circuit, designed by Race Director and track designer David Terrien to accommodate a 100-kart field, was laid out on a temporary configuration at Silverstone for the event. Asked on his victory lap where the win ranks among his others, Max's answer came with a grin: "I think this is the best one yet!"
– Red Bull’s Max vs 100 is available to watch again on Disney+ globally and on the ESPN App for ESPN Unlimited subscribers in the U.S., with a broadcast on ESPN2 at 19.00 ET.
QUOTES
Max Verstappen: "When I went to the grid and I saw where I had to start, with 100 karts in front of me, I was a little bit worried. Ater my first lap with all the carnage, I did think okay we have got this under control! It started to become really fun and once I started getting into a rhythm and was able to overtake them one by one and saw the gap closing, that was really exciting. It was great to just be back in a go-kart again and go back to basics, it reminded me of racing back in the day. It's a really beautiful track and well designed and it was a nice touch to be able to get all the data fed through the radio too. I had a great day and it was good to come out with the win!
“It's something very unique and you never know how it's gonna go, but the first time went really well. So from there on, I could really have a lot of fun trying to hunt them all down. There was a lot of effort going into it and it was nice that they all had a lot of fun as well, like preparing and participating.”
David Terrien, track designer and race director: "Going through the traffic of such a big field, no one has done it. There’s never been a karting race with so many karts. So even Max was questioning himself just before the start, how he could go through the traffic. When you look at the replay, he picked the right spots. Every time there was a gap, he went for it. He was on the right side of the track when there was a crash going on the other side. We gave them more fast laps to allow them to compete longer and stay in the game longer. But he was just much faster.
"I think that’s what makes the difference with Max – his starts, and his reaction time. Even if it's a fun race, he showed his skills in all aspects. I was talking to Max's race engineer and we were looking at the replay of the start. And he sees something we don't see. He sees a gap that's going to open and it's not open yet. So I think that's a race vision, that's something he has that most of the drivers don't have."
Jacky Martens, F1 journalist and last driver caught: "I tried to stay out of the chaos at the beginning of the race, and luckily enough, three or four of us managed to pull away. You think if we're gonna tussle in the beginning of the race, he will catch us within a minute. So we tried to collaborate a little bit, but as soon as Max catches you guys, it's all for one. We all fought to be there as long as possible.”
“It was so much fun, honestly. I can't stop smiling. It feels like living in a dream or something. It's not something that I ever dreamed about, because it's so surreal to race against Max, and then finishing P2 right behind him, it's unbelievable, really. We're both from Limburg, so I don't know what it is in the water over there. Must be something special. As soon as there's four wheels involved, we're just quick with everything. It's a Limburg thing, I guess!”
Richard Cooke, Oracle Red Bull Racing Engineer: "Everyone fancies themselves a bit of a driver and thinks that they can maybe compete with these guys. But I think he's shown today that professional racing drivers, they operate on a completely different level! I think he would have always expected to win it, for sure, but I don't think we expected so much time left on the board. I think even that shocked him. The nicest thing to see is that he’s really enjoyed it today. He's just had a smile on his face the whole time."
Jack Harington, Partnerships Group Lead, Oracle Red Bull Racing, and one of the 100: "Oracle have been running the simulations for how long it would take Max to overtake everybody, and in the simulations we ran we thought it would take about 40 minutes. Now as I understand it was closer to 30 minutes, so you can have all the data in the world, the best technology in Oracle to predict it, but sometimes you've got a Max Verstappen who's just going to beat the data. I thought maybe I'd challenge Max and show that I should have been a Formula One driver, but I didn't even expect him to pass me where he did it was like lap four he overtook me on. Although it was earlier than I wanted, the image of Max overtaking me will live in my memory forever. It was a crazy race and to be part of it was just something I'm probably going to talk about to every single person I meet for the next 20 years."
- Racecar
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