The Volkswagen Rookie Cup is ready to race its fourth season with an all-new cast of young drivers set for action. It starts at Cape Town Killarney International Raceway’s first round of the National Extreme Festival on Saturday 14 March.
Reigning champion Christopher Tait has opted to take the Volkswagen Motorsport seat in the Astron Energy Polo Cup as reward for his title. So, with Tait and 2025 rivals Josh Moore and Berlin Robinson progressing to Polo Cup and others also moving on, 2026 welcomes a new field of young Rookie Cup hopefuls.
Rookie Cup sophomores, Jack Moore, and Luke Hill return to action. But there’s no guarantee that either of their experience will keep them ahead. With the likes of experienced karters, Sebastian Dias and Anwill April in the pack, it’s anyone’s game.
INEX Legends and Historic Mini graduate Sebastian Venkov also joins the Rookie Cup, while younger brother Max Corbett picks up where Luke left off. Keyaan Dwomoh is an unknown quantity from the world of i-racing who’d love to emulate factory driver Jonathan Mogotsi’s route.
A Volkswagen Motorsport initiative open to young drivers between 14 and 16 with a valid MSA licence, Rookie Cup is a seamless transition from karting or similar to the main circuit. A racing academy, Rookie Cup goes beyond best racing lines, perfect brake markers and racecraft, with recruits trained in every aspect of a future racing career.
Rookie Cup trains drivers on fitness and best physical and mental preparation, teamwork and collaborating with race technicians and the crew, data analysis. The syllabus also covers working with television, the media, and every other racing career aspect with expert guidance from Volkswagen Motorsport professional champion drivers.
The Rookie Cup runs as a championship across the National Extreme Festival, at endurance and regional races and some special events. The 2026 Rookie Cup champion has the choice of drives in either the Astron Energy Polo Cup, or Volkswagen-powered MSA4 in 2027.
Young drivers interested in joining the Volkswagen Rookie Cup can email driving@vwsa.co.za with the subject line ‘Ref: VW Rookie Cup. Volkswagen’s dedicated Rookie Cup team will be in touch.
*Volkswagen Motorsport salutes its Rookie Cup racing partners, Dunlop Tyres, Astron Energy, Sparco and Volkswagen Advanced Driving.
Issued on behalf of Volkswagen Motorsport
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