What Cape Town & 2026 Season Preview
Where Killarney International Raceway
When Saturday 14 March 2026
Community South Africa National
Astron Energy Polo Cup and Rookie Cup Champions step up
Volkswagen Motorsport starts the 2026 racing season with its series champions, Christopher Tait and Rory Atkinson driving its respective Astron Energy Polo Cup and SATC SupaCup machines at Killarney’s season opening National Extreme Festival in Cape Town on Saturday 14 March.
“We go into the new season with two reigning South African champions at the wheel of our racing Polos,” Volkswagen Head of Motorsport Mike Rowe explains. “Our 2025 Rookie Cup Champion, Christopher Tait will drive the Volkswagen Motorsport entry in Astron Energy’s thirtieth season of Polo Cup, and Astron Energy Polo Cup champion Rory Atkinson will race the Volkswagen Motorsport SATC SupaCup.”
Rory Atkinson, who returned to Astron Energy Polo Cup after winning several Gauteng Regional ATE VW Challenge Championships, used his experience to take the 2026 Polo Cup to earn his SupaPolo seat. “I look forward to the challenge of racing the wings and slicks SupaCup in a factory supported car and can’t wait to get started,” Rory admits. “Huge thanks to Volkswagen Motorsport for this incredible opportunity and for all it does in South African racing.”
Another exponent of VW Challenge racing, Christopher Tait won that 2024 Class C title before stepping up to the Volkswagen Rookie Cup last season. He fought all the way to the last lap of the last race to win an epic championship to land his prize drive in the 2026 Astron Energy 30th anniversary Polo Cup. “Having won two titles in the past two years, I now take a huge step into the big time in the Astron Energy Polo Cup,” Christopher admits. “This one won’t be that easy but I look forward to doing the team proud. Bring it on!”
“It’s a huge year for Volkswagen Motorsport with our thirtieth season of Polo Cup, so the whole team simply cannot wait to get out on track and race with our all-champion 2026 line-up,” Mike Rowe concludes. “Good luck to the team for a great season ahead!”
*Volkswagen Motorsport salutes its racing partners, Astron Energy, VW Genuine Parts, and Dunlop Tyres.
Issued on behalf of Volkswagen Motorsport
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