• Krrish started racing at the Rift Valley Motorsports Club’s Solai racetrack five years ago.
• Krrish started playing golf in school when he was 10. However, he started playing competitive golf two years ago, winning the Junior Strokeplay Championship at Muthaiga and won the Junior League Cup with the Junior Windsor Team.
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Ever wondered how Formula 1 superstars start their journey to stardom?
Well, the answer is — karting.
Some of the most celebrated Kenyan drivers like Baldev Chager, Tejas Hirani and Jeremiah Wahome had their unique paths as young karters.
Wahome competed in various open-wheel formulae, including the BRDC British Formula 3 Championship and F3 Asian Championship while Kenya’s Olsbeegs MSE superstar Hirani became Africa’s first FIA RX Lites World Championship podium finisher following brilliant displays in the season-closing round in Latvia some years back.
Chager became a multiple Kenyan and Safari Rally champion, thanks to his initial career experience with go-karts.
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Karting and Formula 1
In 2014, McLaren’s F1 star Lando Norris became the youngest karting world champion when he won the CIK-FIA KF World Championship. Max Verstappen, son of former Formula 1 driver Jos Verstappen, started his karting career in Belgium and won multiple championships in the Belgian and Dutch championships.
In 2010, Max took to international karting, becoming a CRG factory driver and went on to win multiple international championships.
Mercedes legend Lewis Hamilton started his karting career in 1993 and quickly started winning races.
The list of karters who have made deep inroads into the pinnacle of motorsport is endless.
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Rising star Krrish
Kenyan Junior Rotax Karting champion Krrish Vadgama is an avid follower of the Formula 1 grid with a burning desire to become the first Formula 1 driver from Africa.
Krrish’s sublime driving has no doubt endeared him to fans in the Kenya National Karting Championship, a 10-round single-seater series that entails double-header weekend meetings.
But Krrish’s recent participation in the inaugural African Karting Cup in South Africa has reinvigorated an aggressive form of race craft in him.
“Africa Cup was a very good experience down South. I finished seventh out of 30 drivers. It was my first time on that particular track and only got one day of practice against local drivers, who took the top four slots given their local knowledge of the track,” said Krrish.
“I did very well for a first-timer, considering the culture shock and many facets of tackling a new racetrack.”
Krrish and Martin Thyge Nojgaard represented the country in the OKN senior class for drivers in the 14 and over category.
Thirty six drivers signed up for the continental showpiece.
The continental Cup brought together racers from FIA Member Clubs across Africa. The inaugural event welcomed competitors from various countries including Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria and Angola.
Krrish added: “The beauty about it was that each driver was provided with identical karts — powered by Vortex engines and clad in OTK chassis — to ensure equitable and closely matched competition.”
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Early days
Krrish started racing at the Rift Valley Motorsports Club’s Solai racetrack five years ago.
He was inspired by his elder brother Neel Vadgama, the 2018 National Senior Rotax Champion.
And at 14, he is already making waves in go-karting.
With a passion for speed and a natural talent behind the wheel, Krrish has quickly established himself as a formidable competitor on the track. His dedication and hard work have earned him numerous victories and accolades, showcasing his relentless pursuit of excellence.
When Krrish is not zipping around the race track, he can be found honing his skills on the greens and fairways of local golf courses. Despite his busy schedule, he still finds time for his second passion, golf.
With a meticulous approach and a keen eye for detail, Krrish brings the same level of focus and determination to the fairways as he does on the racetrack.
Beyond his sporting endeavours, Krrish is a well-rounded individual. He is known for his friendly and approachable nature, always ready to support and encourage his fellow racers and golfers.
His commitment to sportsmanship and teamwork sets a positive example for those around him, earning him the respect and admiration of his peers.
As Krrish continues to pursue his dreams, he remains committed to pushing his limits and striving for excellence in both go-kart racing and golf.
With his incredible talent, unwavering dedication, and a true love for the thrill of competition, he is undoubtedly a rising star in the world of motorsports and golf.
Krrish started playing golf in school when he was 10. However, he started playing competitive golf two years ago, winning the Junior Strokeplay Championship at Muthaiga and won the Junior League Cup with the Junior Windsor Team.
“My favourite sport is motorsport and precisely F1 because the foundation of F1 is karting. I want to drive an F1 car one day or be in an F1 team. Karting is by and large a “hidden gem” of motorsports where almost all of the world’s professional racecar drivers begin their careers,” said Krrish.
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He believes no other form of motorsports can offer as much as karting in the early stages.
“Karting teaches you race craft and helps develop useful driving techniques as well as reveal if you can keep up with the physical nature of motorsport and if it’s something you like,” he said.
“Karting is cheaper than car racing and safer than riding. It is simply unmatched in its ability to give a driver the rush of speed and competition in a low-cost, low-maintenance vehicle.”
Krrish hopes to try his hand at professional karting in the United Kingdom and South Africa and maybe get into Formula 3 or Formula E.
In balancing school and sports, Krrish said: “I just manage and try to strike a balance.”
His favourite golfer is Tiger Wood.
“Despite all the hurdles that Tiger has had to contend with in life, he became the golf icon that he is,” said Krrish.
Krrish is currently playing off Handicap 11.2 and is a member of Windsor Golf Club. He is also a Junior Golf Foundation (JGF) member.
“My favourite golf course is Augusta National because that’s where my favourite Masters event is played,” he concluded.
FACT FILE
Date of Birth: 14/09/2009
Occupation: Student
Kart: Tony Kart
Team Name: MadMax Racing *
Hobbies: Golf / Karting / Shooting
Mentor: Elder Brother - Neel
Race Category: Junior Rotax
Career highlights
1. 2023 Junior Rotax Champion
2. Muthaiga Junior Golf Strokeplay Winner
3. 2022 Cadet Class 2nd Overall
4. 2021 Cadet Class 2nd Overall