This Brakpan motorbike racer is on track to becoming a champ – and he's only seven years old!

He’s had an exceptional season in the SA Short Circuit Series, winning all six rounds in the PW 50 class this year – and he's only seven years old.

The little biker in action. (PHOTO: Deon VDL Photography)

Marnitz Otten from Brakpan has had a bumper year collecting trophies for his racing skills.

“He’s been in first place all year, he wins races 20 or 30 seconds ahead of other racers. Consistency is his biggest achievement,” his proud father, Willem, tells YOU. 

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Marnitz started racing in the SA Short Circuit Series at the age of five under EDF Racing club after his parents, Willem (42) and Izele (40), created a Facebook page showing off his skills in their backyard.

An old friend of Willem reached out to them and suggested that Marnitz try out for the PW 50 class. His parents then bought him a Yamaha PW50 bike two years ago and he's been burning up the race track on full throttle ever since.

 “The first day he went onto the track, he enjoyed it so much,” Willem says.

Marnitz with parents Willem and Izele and his brother, Rudi. (PHOTO: Deon VDL Photography)

Last year Marnitz finished in second place, but this year it looks like the motorbike enthusiast will come out on top of the SA Short Circuit Series PW 50 class as he's been training hard every weekend.

And cheering on the sidelines at every practise session and race is his brother and biggest cheerleader, Rudi (18), who was diagnosed with Prader-Willi Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that results in a number of physical, mental and behavioural problems.

Marnitz will soon need to graduate from his PW 50 to a bigger bike. (PHOTO: Deon VDL Photography)

Racing has created a strong bond in their family, Willem says, but it's also an expensive sport and their biggest challenge is finding funding for Marnitz.

The father of two says it costs them anything between R8 000 to R10 000 a month to make sure that he has everything he needs for the track – but the family is hoping that sponsors will come to the table as his son's performance improves.

“We are very proud of him. His determination is brilliant. I wish that I had that kind of determination when I was his age. Training isn’t a problem for him, he gets up with a smile ready for practise. He can’t wait to get to the track,” Willem says.  

Marnitz's bike number is 550 because he started riding a PW 50 at the age of five.

He loves standing on the podium, but he also enjoys doing tricks with his bike.

“I’ve never shown him anything, but I think he learns these stunts from watching YouTube videos. He tries and tries until he gets it right,” his dad says.

Another thing about winning that he enjoys is celebrating.

After each race, the winners are awarded their prizes on the podium "and he loves to chase everyone and spray them with non-alcoholic champagne”, Willem shares while Marnitz giggles. 

Marnitz wants to be like South African Grand Prix motorcycle racer Brad Binder when he grows up and is already putting in the work to be a champion racer.

He does physical training every Monday to Thursday and he practises on the track from 8am to 5pm for one day over the weekend.

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When he isn't burning up the track, Marnitz plays rugby and mini cricket at school. (PHOTO: Deon VDL Photography)

He's sacrificing a lot for his passion, but Willem says he's happiest on the racing track.

“We just hope that he is successful and that he enjoys life – someone said that if you enjoy what you do, you will not work one day in your life and that’s what we want for him. For him to be happy and enjoy life." 

EXTRA SOURCES: CITIZEN.CO.ZA, MAYOCLINIC.ORG