When King Price Xtreme driver Chrisopher Tait announced at the age of seven that he wanted to start karting, his mother’s response was: “Over my dead body.”

Katherine Tait knew little about motorsport at the time and was firmly against the idea. Christopher’ father, however, had raced himself and took a different view, saying that if Christopher wanted to race, then he would race.

It took Katherine time to learn the language of karting, understand the sport, and navigate its many complexities. In those early years, she was simply the proud mother cheering her son on. But as Christopher’s talent developed and karting progressed into circuit racing, the sport reshaped the family’s life.

“We used to entertain a lot and had an active social life, but now our lives are centred around racing,” she says. “We’re at the track almost every weekend, even when Christopher isn’t competing or practising. But I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

Race weekends often begin on a Thursday, when the car is transported to the circuit and the pit area is set up. Katherine manages the branding and hospitality elements, while Christopher’s father and mechanical team focus on the technical side of the operation.

Friday and Saturday mornings start early, which Katherine admits is not her natural preference. Once the set-up is done, her priorities are simple: Making sure Christopher is fed, hydrated, and prepared.

She rarely misses a race and dislikes being away when work commitments make it unavoidable. Yet, despite the speed and physical risks associated with motorsport, accidents are not what concern her most: “I’m never particularly worried about injuries because the safety equipment in the car is something we never compromise on. It’s my child’s life, after all. My anxiety comes from wanting him to perform at his best in every race.”

Christopher’s first circuit race in 2024 remains a particularly proud moment. At just 15, he secured pole position, took first place, and went on to claim the VW Challenge Class C Championship, becoming South Africa’s youngest saloon car champion.

For Katherine, however, his success is about more than natural ability. She believes his composure, attitude, and the way he treats others will be just as important to his future as his driving ability. “Christopher has a gentle soul and very seldom loses his temper. He carries himself with grace and dignity, and I believe this is something he’s learnt from me.”

The Taits’ commitment extends far beyond weekends. Motorsport placed significant demands on their finances, and there were periods when finding the money to keep Christopheer in the race was difficult. Yet his parents continued to make it work.

“People don’t always understand the sacrifices parents make to put their children through racing,” Katherine says. “There were times when we struggled, but we always found the money. Christopher knows what we went through, and he’s incredibly grateful and gracious.”

Although Christopher is now six foot three and towers over his mother, she says that he’ll always be her baby boy. Their relationship remains close, and Katherine takes particular pride in knowing that he can come to her with anything.

This Women’s Month, being recognised as part of Christopher’s story is an honour she doesn’t take lightly. Behind the titles is a mother who once resisted the sport, then learned its language, reorganised her life around it, and worked relentlessly to help make her son’s ambitions possible.

“You can’t restrict or inhibit your child’s dreams,” Katherine says. “If you have the means and the will to help them grow and develop in something they love, then do everything you can to make that dream possible.”