What Astron Energy Polo Cup 2026 Preview
Where Killarney International Raceway
When Saturday 14 March 2026
Community South Africa National
Astron Energy’s 30th Polo Cup season starts at Killarney Saturday
The Astron Energy Polo Cup will celebrate a glorious 30 years of racing when the new season kicks off at the first round of the National Extreme Festival at Cape Town’s Killarney International Raceway on Saturday 14 March.
“Volkswagen Motorsport is absolutely delighted to celebrate 30 years of competition with the 2026 Astron Energy Polo Cup,” Volkswagen Head of Motorsport Mike Rowe confirms. “What started as the Polo Classic Cup way back in 1997 has paved the way for young South African drivers to shine in every discipline of the sport and across the globe.
“The van der Linde brothers, Jordan and Tasmin Pepper, Michael Stephen, Graeme Nathan, Hennie Groenewald, and Jonathan Mogotsi are just some of the names that spring to mind. Never mind, Polo Cup was also where Tschops Sipuka became South Africa’s first ever black racing champion among so many more vivid memories.
“Today, 30 years and five generations of Polo later, the Astron Energy Polo Cup remains the same, incredible, level playing field it always was as we set out to crown our 30th champion. With reigning champion Rory Atkinson promoted to a Volkswagen Motorsport SupaPolo in the SupaCup, it’s all to play for, so best of luck to all our 30th anniversary season competitors. Let the games begin!”
With several leading drivers joining champion Atkinson in a step up to SupaCup, Astron Energy Polo Cup is wide open as it often is every second or third season. Which makes previous winners, Dainfern Dental doctor Hannes Scheepers, veteran Charl Smalberger’s Sabertek OMP Polo and ATE VW Challenge Class A champion Jayden Goosen, who won on debut in last year’s finale in his AA OMP LTR car, the favourites.
Others to keep an eye on include Astron Energy Polo Cup sophomores, Durban lad Shiren Rajpaul’s Goldwagen Springfield Panel Polo, Pierluigi Muzzulini’s FSS International and Milan Emslie’s Triton cars.
Among the newcomers, Volkswagen Rookie Cup champion Chris Tait’s Volkswagen Motorsport entry is joined by former Rookie Cup rivals Josh Moore’s Worx BPW car and AF Fans Team Red lass Berlin Robinson. And young oval star Cyril Jacobs Jr. steps into his Auto Perfect Team Red Polo.
The Astron Energy Polo Masters are back for a third season with Wayne Masters intent on making it a championship hat trick in his Performance Masters Polo. He still has old rivals Derick Smalberger’s Sabertek OMP, John Kruger’s Habot Lubricants Polos to deal with.
Masters regulars, PABAR racer Mike Barbaglia and Elio Muzzulini’s FSS International entry are back. And Kart and INEX Legends racer Richard van Heerde joins the Masters in his Browndeck Roofing machine.
Astron Energy Polo Cup races identical latest specification fifth generation Volkswagen Motorsport Polo Cup cars on 18” Dunlop semis slick tyres. The cars race on standard Astron Energy Quartech pump petrol to meet Volkswagen Motorsport’s exacting Polo Cup requirements.
Volkswagen Motorsport salutes its Polo Cup partners, naming rights sponsor Astron Energy, Dunlop, Pabar and Ferodo.
Issued on behalf of Volkswagen Motorsport
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