The rise of Emma-Rose Dowling on the international karting stage is the product of a carefully structured development journey, shaped over several seasons by the Toyota Gazoo Racing Junior Academy (TGRJA).
Since joining the TGRJA, Emma-Rose has progressed through South African karting with a clear focus on long-term driver development. The programme’s emphasis on racecraft, discipline, technical understanding and professionalism has been instrumental in preparing her for both national success and international opportunity. Under the TGRJA banner, Emma-Rose has claimed national-level victories, delivered consistent podium finishes, and emerged as a championship contender in the South African Rotax MAX Challenge, a form that has firmly established her as one of the country’s leading young karting talents.
That structured domestic foundation has now translated into international recognition, with Emma-Rose selected for the F1 Academy Discover Your Drive – Champions of the Future Academy (COTFA) programme. Having turned 15 in January, she will compete in the British COTFA in the OK-N Senior category (ages 14–17), marking a significant milestone in her racing career.
The British COTFA programme will be contested over four rounds at premier UK karting venues:
• Round 1: 27–29 March – Kart Silverstone
• Round 2: 15–17 May – PF International Kart Circuit
• Round 3: 19–21 June – Larkhall Circuit International
• Round 4: 21–23 August – Whilton Hill
COTFA is a central pillar of F1 Academy’s Discover Your Drive initiative, offering a cost-controlled, merit-based pathway for young drivers, particularly female racers, to progress through karting. Equalised equipment allocation, capped entry fees and a professionally managed event format ensure that performance, adaptability and racecraft are the defining factors.
Emma-Rose’s selection is underpinned by her growing international résumé. In addition to her South African achievements with the TGRJA, she has competed in the FIA Karting Academy Trophy (Junior), attended the FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars Junior Training Camp in Italy, and was selected for the Iron Dames Young Talents programme. Each of these steps has further refined her skills and prepared her for the demands of elite European competition.
Reflecting on the opportunity, the Gauteng teenager highlighted the importance of development-focused programmes in shaping her future:
“Programmes such as F1 ACADEMY Discover Your Drive and the Champions of the Future Academy play a vital role in giving female racers increased exposure, experience, and development opportunities. Each step I’m taking now is focused on preparing for the next phase of my career, from advancing in karting to moving into circuit racing, with the long-term goal of reaching F1 ACADEMY.”
As she steps into OK-N Senior competition in the UK, Emma-Rose carries with her the results of several seasons of focused development under the TGRJA. The British COTFA now represents the next logical phase, providing high-level race exposure, international benchmarking, and direct alignment with the F1 Academy ecosystem.
For both Emma-Rose and the TGRJA, her selection stands as a clear validation of a development programme that continues to produce drivers capable of competing and succeeding on the global stage.
Published by: Raymond Cornwell
Picture Caption: Emma-Rose Dowling
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