Shut up. I'm talking.

In a few hours I’ll be on plane to Durban.

The reason for my trip is to climb into a kart to see if I still have what it takes to compete at the highest level.

Once upon a time, my dream in life was to have a career as a racing driver. The pinnacle of my ‘career’ was competing in the World Rotax Max Championships in 2007. I ended up 6th at the race but wasted an opportunity of actually winning. That fact haunts me to this day.

To compete in the World Champs you need to become the SA champ. To do that you have to dedicate 110% of your time and focus, as well as every cent of any money you may have, to even stand a chance of winning. It took me 6 years to eventually achieve it and is still by far the most difficult thing I have ever done.

In early August is a rare opportunity to qualify for the World Champs without having to win the SA Championship. There is a once off event called the African Championship, taking place in Durban, and the winner will qualify for the World Finals.

It is a fast track method to qualify and even though it still costs a bucket load of money it is less than the truck load you’ll have to spend to win the SA’s.

When I finally stopped racing in 2008 I had nothing left, both in terms of money and motivation. I started to focus on Obox with my brother and said that one day I will come back to racing on my own terms. Just over 3 years later I am at a point where I can afford to do this race on my own terms and with my own money. It’s a big moment for me and I plan on maximising every second of it.

With the race itself on the 8th August I have planned to fly to the track that we will be competing at to practice and prepare. Karting requires sharp reflexes and intense focus and having been four years out, there is no doubt that I will be a bit blunted.

So over the next 5 weeks I will be plowing all my extra time, and attention into getting fit, more focussed and most importantly, believing again. This will include wearing a helmet in my pyjamas while I exercise my neck before bed time.

It is no in way an easy task and I am under no illusion of how steep this mountain is to climb. Of the 32 people who will take part there will be at least one European Champion as well as numerous SA Champs and competitors who’ve finished in the top 10 in the World Champs. South Africa has some thoroughbred karters who give nothing away.

The aim is to win and qualify but the reality is that even if I finish in the top 10 it will be impressive. Winning is the ultimate goal though and that’s why I’ll be on that plane.

This is day one.